US & England Submit Bids For 2018 or 2022 World Cup

Yesterday, the US and England both announced they had submitted bids to host either the 2018 or the 2022 World Cup. They joined ten other nations who had already expressed their desire to host the world's biggest tournament, including Mexico, Russia, Spain/Portugal, Netherlands/Belgium, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Australia, Egypt, and Qatar. Come May 2010, which of these nations has the best chance of being named as a host?

Well, let's use the process of elimination, shall we? The 2010 Cup is being held in Africa, so I think Qatar and Egypt are nutty if they think the Cup is coming back to that continent that quickly. Also, a country from continental Europe, Germany, just hosted the 2006 Cup, so I think Russia, Spain/Portugal, and Netherlands/Belgium should be out. South Korea and Japan just hosted a Cup in 2002, so it can't be going back there already, can it?

That leaves England, Mexico, Australia, Indonesia and the US. Now, Indonesia is no soccer powerhouse, and security concerns will likely leave them off the final lists. Australia is an interesting one because their Oceania Conference has never hosted a Cup. Plus, the 2000 Olympics proved the Aussies could handle a big event. England is also a good candidate as that nation has not hosted a World Cup since 1966 despite being the birthplace of world football.

I think either England or Australia will get one Cup. That leaves the US or Mexico competing for the second. Now, North America deserves another cup, having not hosted one since 1994. But who gets it, the Yanks or the Mexicans? The US had the last one, but Mexico has already hosted twice and a third World Cup would make them the only team to have hosted the tournament three times. I bet the US gets 2018 and England gets 2022, and I'll tell you why.

Money.

The US and England both are desirable vacation destinations for families wanting to attend the World Cup from around the world. Both have several cultural attractions making their countries ideal for far away visitors. Plus, both countries already have very diverse inhabitants who will support their squads after they qualify for the big dance. Finally, both countries already have massive venues built for the tourney, so neither would need help to host.

If these two countries get the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, I have no doubt that they would be the most profitable World Cups in history. The English soccer market is already a world leader, and everyone knows the US market is just waiting to be plundered. Moreover, as we have seen, security is becoming more and more an issue every four years, and these two global powerhouses are as good as anyone today at keeping spectators safe.

I hope both the Yanks and the Brits get these World Cups too, as I would plan to attend both. We have world class venues, massive markets, and the money to make the world's biggest tournament run smoothly without a hitch. Now we just need to be awarded with a Cup. We'd both be happy to host, so maybe it will happen. So, please, World Cup, be our guest? Put our service to the test. Bring your squads to our shores and we'll provide the rest.