Japan To Challenge Our World Cup Bid

February 1st, 2009 | By: Pat | 4 Comments »

worldcup2006 Japan are proving to be our nemesis yet again – this time off the pitch – with the JFA announcing their bid for either the 2018 or the 2022 World Cup… on the same day that FFA Chairman Frank Lowy officially expressed our interest.

Japan last hosted the World Cup in 2002 along with South Korea. The smooth running of those championships, along with an impressive infrastructure of stadiums and facilities, will surely put further pressure on us.

To boost our chances, the Federal Government will pump in excess of $45 million into the sport.

Besides Japan, fellow Asian neighbours Qatar, China and Indonesia have all placed bids. We also face strong competition from England, the United States, Mexico and Russia.

Joint bids from Belgium-Luxemburg-Netherlands and Spain-Portugal have been rejected by FIFA, who today announced that they won’t accept joint bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

FIFA will decide on the hosts for the two World Cups in December 2010.

Fingers crossed.

And in other news, under-fire Japanese coach Takeshi Okada has called for the heavy artillery in the World Cup qualifying clash with the Socceroos on February 11th. Having to settle for a surprising draw with Uzbekistan, and more recently suffering a shock 1-0 loss to Bahrain, has meant that the pressure is firmly placed on Okada to deliver at the Yokohama National Stadium come Wednesday week. A win to the Green and Gold will virtually guarantee our place, which will in turn leave Japan in a disastrous situation.

Fingers crossed (again).

Tags: Australia, Group F, Japan, World Cup Bid, World Cup Qualifying

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Comments

By Anthony | February 1st, 2009 at 7:15 am

If we don’t get it I’d really like to see you guys get it.
#1) I have family in Australia so I’d stay with them and be able to see matches.
#2) Aussies are CRAZY about sports.
#3) You have the facilities.
#4) Good climate – a bit too hot, but I’m sure no one will be complaining.
#5) Generally safe, I’m sure that has to be considered somewhere…

By marco | February 1st, 2009 at 3:10 pm

As much as I would love to see us win the 2018 world cup I think this one will go to a country in Europe. With the 2 previous world cup away from the euro region I do not like the chances of 3 cups not being hosted in football mad Europe. Although I believe that the best host should win I think football politics will play in Europe’s favour and our best chance will come in 2022.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Jose | February 1st, 2009 at 4:22 pm

Depending on how much good will England can build from here until Dec 2010, I’m almost certain they can pull 2018 easy.

The real match up is for 2022. Everyone is bidding for 2022… the European bids are out, though. That leaves Japan, China, Australia, United States, and Mexico.

Out of these, I think we can safely eliminate Mexico.. I’d love a Mexico WC, but they’re not as good a potential market: they’re already soccer crazy. No, after Brazil and England, FIFA is going to be thinking POTENTIAL MARKETS. Japan already had a recent one, so that market may not be too lucrative, however a World Cup in China would be a powerhouse. Australia not as much, but still lucrative. Both China and Australia carry the risk of alienating the European, African and American (North and South) TV audience, with their crazy hours. Which makes the U.S. a good possibility: they are a great potential market, easy to travel to, vast infrastructure, they’ll make a killing on TICKETS, SPONSORSHIPS, and TV RIGHTS. It’s really their best option.

Then again, maybe after Europe, Africa, South America, and Europe, it’s time we Atlantic Coasters suck it up and wake up at 3am to catch a World Cup game. God knows you guys do it every time.

Posted from United States

By Pat | February 2nd, 2009 at 2:21 am

All valid points, guys. China will definitely get one of them (most likely 2022 – 13 years is enough for China to stop being the “growing economy” but rather the economic powerhouse of the world), they’re just such a gold mine. And since China is such a certainty, it virtually rules out all the other Asian countries (Aus included), because if FIFA do decide to give it to an Asian country, no one can compete with the Chinese.
England for 2018 is also a hot ticket. The only thing I can see going against England is the fact that the same continent can’t host the WC twice in a row… meaning that any European nations wanting the 2022 WC will be willing to stab the Poms in the back.
But I hope I’m wrong and I get to see the world’s best in my backyard.
Fingers crossed…

Comments are closed