It is now common knowledge that the US is challenging several other countries for the right to host the 2018 or the 2022 World Cup. Nobody can deny the success of the 1994 tournament, and the impact that it had on soccer in this country. MLS was launched in the aftermath, and continues to flourish and grow. The US has held several other major sporting events, including the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996. The Gold Cup and Women’s World Cup showcase that the facilities and the means to execute a plan are all in place.
The World Cup in South Africa next year is a landmark occasion. It is the first time the tournament has been held in Africa, and the excitement is mounting. However, problems are evolving. Stadiums have yet to be completed, and Sepp Blatter has even put England on call in case things fall through. Such a scenario could never happen. It would be devastating for South Africa and the entire continent. Soccer would be on the front pages for all the wrong reasons, and FIFA would be held accountable. As the saying goes, ‘it will be alright on the night’, and I fully expect to see the spectacle of soccer grace the African continent and envelop all the passion and color that South Africa encapsulates.
So the US is putting their bid together, along with England, for the right to host the 2018 or 2022 tournament. Henry Kissinger has been drafted in to add some additional bite to the committee, and hopefully leverage the US bid on the international scene. But why wouldn’t the USA be nominated? It has everything. The stadiums and facilities are spectacular, the support is growing exponentially, the domestic league is established, and there are people in place who have big tournament experience and have a love for the game. The only negative aspect I see is the weather. It can be incredibly hot in the summer.
It would be great to see the World Cup in this country once again. It would be even better to be involved in the planning stages of this bid. I wonder how one can become involved in that ?
