Could Australia host the 2018 football World Cup?

[NUFAN]

Pretty sure that Mayor Arnie wants the World Cup in 2018 or 2022 to be staged predominantly in California.

 

[pasag]

Japan are going for it, that much I know.

70,000 at the MCG tonight couldn't have hurt Australia's chances.

In the freezing cold as well.

I'm a bit torn about the bid. On the one hand the hype will drive me insane (was unbearable in 06) and it could negatively effect AFL in the long term as well (plus the sport's a bit crap just quietly), but I'd be quite proud, patriotically, if we did win.

 

[Ausage]

Reckon it would be a positive for the NRL, at least in the long term. Sure season 2018 or 2022 would be disrupted, but you'd think they'd be building/upgrading rectangular field stadiums all over the country. Couldn't harm the case for expansion to places like Perth and Adelaide, while places like Canberra Stadium could get a sizeable upgrade.

 

[NUFAN]

Yeah good point Ausage re: expansion, but I highly doubt Canberra Raiders would be able to sell out a bigger stadium then what they already have except for possibly a final I guess.

What month would be the best month for Australia to host the World Cup?

October would be great for Aussie, but not so good for the European Leagues..

 

[Simon]

Yeah good point Ausage re: expansion, but I highly doubt Canberra Raiders would be able to sell out a bigger stadium then what they already have except for possibly a final I guess.

What month would be the best month for Australia to host the World Cup?

October would be great for Aussie, but not so good for the European Leagues..

The World Cup would be held when it always is July. NRL and AFL have already said they would give sole use of the stadiums to FIFA for the competition.

 

[NUFAN]

Ah okay. Wasn't aware that it had to be in June/July, even though looking back it always appeared to be.

 

[pasag]

The World Cup would be held when it always is July. NRL and AFL have already said they would give sole use of the stadiums to FIFA for the competition.

Yeah I wonder why the AFL did that. They obviously see soccer as a threat (and so they should) and a world cup would propel the A-League right up there with the big boys. Only conclusion I could come to is the negative PR they'd get around the country if it was seen as them that stood in the way of the bid.

 

[ripper868]

^ greater good etc, there is no denying soccer is the biggest sport in Australia at the junior level, dare say 90% of kids play it before playing one of the Rugby's or afl at about age 10-12. I'd love the WC to come, even if it meant cancellation of Rugby for a month or whatever, would be a massive party. No poms though, they'll just throw chairs and **** once they lose.

 

[Johnners]

AFL/NRL probs wont be complaining about the upgraded facilities they will no doubt be able to take advantage of either should the bid be successful. Can't imagine the facilities would be upgraded so readily for them otherwise.

 

[Simon]

I also believe there is a financial windfall for sport in general to be hosting it. Not sure of the AFL's money situation but theres no way the Australian Rugby League could turn down large sums of money that is on offer.

As far as I see AFL would only likely be losing Telstra Dome, MCG, potentially Subiaco (depending on what happens with Perths facilities). So it doesnt seem like a huge deal to them.
League would be likely to lose ANZ Stadium, SFS, Suncorp, Canberra Stadium, Newcastle perhaps, maybe Townsville. Most of the teams that play in these places have suitable alternatives mainly due to lower crowd figures.
The 15k that go and watch Bulldogs vs Panthers at ANZ can easily watch the same game at the Sportsground, Parramatta, SCG. But how does a potentially 50-60k AFL crowd get moved in Melbourne?

 

[pasag]

^ greater good etc, there is no denying soccer is the biggest sport in Australia at the junior level, dare say 90% of kids play it before playing one of the Rugby's or afl at about age 10-12. I'd love the WC to come, even if it meant cancellation of Rugby for a month or whatever, would be a massive party. No poms though, they'll just throw chairs and **** once they lose.

There's no way the AFL gives a stuff about the greater good, They're a ruthless organisation who only have rapid expansion and Australian dominance on their minds. But yeah, soccer is massivley popular for kids and having a world cup here would take it to the next level as a spectator sport for 40/50 years to come. It would completley change the entire sporting makeup of the country, IMHO over the long term. The AFL would know this but they'll also know that there's no point in fighting a bid as it'd only be counter-productive.

 

[pasag]

I also believe there is a financial windfall for sport in general to be hosting it. Not sure of the AFL's money situation but theres no way the Australian Rugby League could turn down large sums of money that is on offer.

As far as I see AFL would only likely be losing Telstra Dome, MCG, potentially Subiaco (depending on what happens with Perths facilities). So it doesnt seem like a huge deal to them.
League would be likely to lose ANZ Stadium, SFS, Suncorp, Canberra Stadium, Newcastle perhaps, maybe Townsville. Most of the teams that play in these places have suitable alternatives mainly due to lower crowd figures.
The 15k that go and watch Bulldogs vs Panthers at ANZ can easily watch the same game at the Sportsground, Parramatta, SCG. But how does a potentially 50-60k AFL crowd get moved in Melbourne?

Princes Park

 

[Ausage]

No poms though, they'll just throw chairs and **** once they lose.

Smart money's on them not qualifying

 

[ripper868]

Knocked out by Liechtenstein in straight sets during qualifying the best bet

 

[Burgey]

Knocked out by Liechtenstein in straight sets during qualifying the best bet

Faroe Islands FTW.

 

[Craig]

Faroe Islands FTW.

San Marino IMO - haven't won a game since time begun.

 

[Johnners]

As much as I enjoy the England bashing, you'd probably do well to notice they haven't lost a game in 9 qualifying matches (even if they still have plenty of room for improvement like reports suggest) kinda making you look more fools than England

 

[Magrat Garlick]

The World Cup would be held when it always is July.

= June.

 

[Simon]

= June.

June/July isnt it? My memory of that time in 06 is a bit hazy, most of it was spent drunk.

 

[Burgey]

As much as I enjoy the England bashing, you'd probably do well to notice they haven't lost a game in 9 qualifying matches (even if they still have plenty of room for improvement like reports suggest) kinda making you look more fools than England

Yeah but we're talking about 2018-2022 mate. Even if they pull off a miracle and actually do well for once in 2010, they'll have disappeared back to mediocrity by then.