The future of FIFA World Cup

With the success of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa which broke barriers and records, several countries are now bidding to organize and host the 2018 and 2022 editions.

Eleven bids were submitted in 2009, covering 13 nations, with two joint bids: Belgium-Netherlands and Portugal-Spain. Mexico also submitted a bid, but withdrew theirs in 2009, while Indonesia had their bid rejected for lack of government support.

For 2018 and 2022

England

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has said he would welcome a 2018 bid from "the homeland of football." England has previously hosted the 1966 World Cup which it won and Euro '96, as well as previously bidding for the 2006 World Cup. Should England succeed, it would be the sixth nation to host the World Cup for a second time.

United States

With all good audience results, soccer gaining more popularity and supported by the financial and attendance records of previous hosted 1994 FIFA World Cup, the United States are going to be a big England's competitor for the 2018 bidding. The US Soccer has submitted two bids: one for 2018 and in case they don't get it, another for 2022. The 18 host cities were already chosen: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle, Tampa, and Washington DC.

Russia

Russia comes strong for the bidding due to the FIFA's rotation policy. However, they are not as well structured as the USA and England, but the country is ready to spend some $10 billion on the tournament, especially to build stadiums following FIFA standards. Russia hopes to have five stadiums fit to host World Cup matches ready by 2013, which will be used for the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Portugal and Spain

The joint-venture consists in Spain leading a 12-stadium project with eight of the venues, and the opening and final games would be held in Lisbon and Madrid, respectively. Spain has previously hosted the 1982 World Cup, while Portugal organized the Euro 2004. If the Portuguese-Spanish joint bid succeeds, Spain would become the sixth nation to host the World Cup for a second time.

 

Belgium and the Netherlands

Using the same model as per Portugal and Spain, Belgium and Netherlands would share the building of stadiums which comply with FIFA standards. Luxembourg will also help in the World Cup organization in case the bid is the winner, however it will not host any game neither be automatically qualified for the event.

 

 

 

For 2022 only

Australia

Initially Australia confirmed a bid for 2018, which was eventually withdrew months later. One possible stumbling block to the bid is that almost all of Australia's largest stadiums are used by other major Australian sports (Australian Football and Rugby) whose domestic seasons overlap with the World Cup. Australia has hosted several tournaments: U-20 Soccer World Cup, 2000 Summer Olympics, 2003 Rugby World Cup among others.

 

Japan

Japan is bidding to become the first Asian country to host the World Cup twice; they co-host the 2002 World Cup with South Korea. They have also withdrew the bid for 2018 and analysts say that their chances for 2022 are very low as well.

 

South Korea

As their previous partner of 2002 World Cup, South Korea has put forth an offer to host the 2022 edition. Due to the rotation policy and FIFA willing to take soccer to places that it needs to be developed, the likelihood is not good for South Korea's (and Japan's) bid.

 

 

Qatar

Qatar is attempting to become the first Arab nation to host the World Cup. Qatar is planning to promote this bid as an Arab unity bid and hope to draw on support from the entire Arab world, and are positioning this as an opportunity to bridge the gap between the Arab and Western worlds. Some concerns with Qatar's bid deal with the extreme temperatures especially in June and July, but according to them, this is not a problem at all, stadiums with controlled temperature will be built, once they win the bid for 2022.

Canada Soccer Association was also willing to pull together a bid for 2022 edition. With the expectation that the United States will land the 2018 or 2022 event, while other continents will also get to host it as it rotates from one region to another, they decided that it does not worth to move forward with an official bid. However, the 2015 Women's World Cup is more likely.

Whether Canada's chances to host or not a World Cup is low, I do hope see Canada team being part of the 32 nations in Brazil 2014.

About Paulo Porto

Paraguay: Samurai Blues fall to La Guaranies

And then there were eight.

With the world's most celebrated sports tournament half way through, I can only wonder what surprises the soccer gods behold during the last two weeks.

In the words of my good friend Huzaifa Dohadwala, I’m sure you can all agree that the slogan of this World Cup should be ‘Expect the unexpected.’ And I’m sure you all know why. With the 2006 finalists making a quick exit, and organized and creative Switzerland upsetting Spain, we have witnessed some of the greatest upsets in the history of sports.

The best part? It has just begun. Paraguay has now secured their spot in the Quarters for the first time in a historic match against Japan. To be honest, I cannot fathom any other event that would give me goosebumps and make my hair sit up like the brave ten did. As the lonely walk to the penalty spot begins, the confidence and nerve possessed by the players is one out of my comprehension. Although the Paraguay and Japan teams were different in many aspects -- hailing from two totally different countries, speaking different languages, and having mastered a different style of play—they held one goal in common: put the ball at the back of the net and lift your team to heights it has never seen before.

After Komano had clipped the crossbar, Oscar Cardozo rolled home the winning spot-kick to give the South Americans a 5-3 win. Paraguay won by the narrowest of margins, but nonetheless, a win is a win. Although, I’m having difficulty understanding why so many fans criticized Japan and Paraguay’s performance. No, there were not any staggering goals scored in regulation. No, there were not any theatrics put on by world class players. No, we did not witness fancy footwork by the Ronaldos. But is that how the game must turn out every single time? Sure, it makes the game a whole lot more exciting. Although it is getting clearer day by day that the results of this tournament are getting wilder and wilder; at this stage, anything is possible.

“The game was boring,” said Alexi Lalas of ESPN. In my opinion, the results should have played out the dream match of any soccer fan. After all, how did the 2006 final turn out? Sure, the infamous head butt made things a lot more interesting, but it came down to the penalties, didn’t it?

Anyway, as Paraguay prepares to battle the likes of David Villa and Fernando Torres, it is vital that they improve in creating better opportunities to slam the ball home, rather than leaving things on the line during the penalty kicks. That should be the game plan for every team, of course. Then again, the inevitable and the unexpected is what makes the game beautiful.

It is safe to say that the World Cup is dancing to the tune of South American teams, and whether you like it or not, Spain is no exception.

About Abbas Khambati

Japan: PK is always a tough way to go...

A hard fought sloppy game for both Japan and Paraguay ended in a penalty shootout win for Paraguay... I was heartbroken and crushed after this tense defensive battle in which both teams had a few chances they should have put away.  Japan stuck to their game plan defending with all 11 players and counter attacking with pace, not the most attractive football but it does the job and it almost worked again today.

I must say I am very proud of the Samurai Blue and the fans of Japan in South Africa, in Japan and here in Toronto, we put on a good show and showed the world that there is great football in Asia.

It's always tragic for any team to lose in a penalty shootout and while neither team deserved to win,Paraguay did not deserve to lose either, so hats off to them and good luck in the next round.

This World Cup was probably the most entertaining for a Japanese fan and I look forward to cheering on Japan always and forever.

NIPPON!!!!

About Kazu Tokuyama

Denmark: Danish Dynamite II????

Denmark has advanced to the elimination round in all of their Cup appearances and will be comfortable with the pressure.  They must win - a tie won't do.  The Danes looked good against a desperate Cameroon and should be prepared for a very tough Japanese squad.  The odds-makers have the Danes favoured but not by much.  It's going to be a fantastic game to watch.

   About Steve Robinson

Japan: Game 2

    With an Asian powerhouse like South Korea being man-handled by Argentina, a Japanese fan can only cling to faith that his team will not suffer the same fate on Saturday vs the mighty Netherlands...

Obviously, beating Cameroon was a huge first step and a loss to the Dutch would not be the end, but nobody wants to be in a do-or-die situation come game 3 so Japan must put on a good showing Saturday to prove to the world, and most importantly themselves, that they can do it... and all I can say is I hope they do just that.

  A lot of the Japanese community here in Toronto will be watching this game because it is against the Dutch, and it is on a weekend but also because of the big event called the Samurai Blue Project that is being put on by the Japanese Canadian cultural center and the Japanese Football club of Toronto... it should be fun-filled event for all ages and cheering on your team with so many others on a giant screen is the next best thing to being there!

About Kazu Tokuyama

Cheering for Japan's historic victory

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WOW!!!  The emotions are just running wild with a thrilling 1-0 victory over Cameroon... it was a very close contest but Japan did what they had to do and we are all very proud of them... the World Cup has a funny way of always disappointing the favorites and the sun has shone upon Japan today!

I have already seen the scene in Japan and it is crazy!!  As is the small Japanese contingent here... we are ecstatic and this leads well into our next match against the Netherlands and our Samurai Blue Project event at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Center. If anyone is interested please come either Friday night or Saturday and join us!!

Go Japan Go!!

NIPPON!!! NIPPON!!

About Kazu Tokuyama

The World Cup begins...and for Japan tomorrow...

The World Cup has begun and the electricity in the city of Toronto is amazing!  the passion not only for every country good or bad but for the game of soccer itself is great to see.

 The first few days have seen some great games with South Africa off to a good start, as I always like to see the host country do well. South Korea is a team that I think is underestimated in the rest of the world and the win against Greece was not a shock to Asians... it was great to see them get the win.

But for Japan and the small community here in Toronto, it begins tomorrow with a huge game (I guess they're all huge) against Cameroon. I still believe the Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast, North Korea group is the group of death but most say this Japan, Cameroon, Netherlands, Denmark group is also a group of death and I a believe that as well. But all the more reason to be excited if Japan can win a game or two and make it out of such a tough group...

Meanwhile in Toronto there will be spots here and there of Japanese people watching this game in the morning. The biggest group maybe around the Yonge and Eglinton area... being a weekday it maybe hard to get the whole community together but we have put a lot of eggs in one basket for the next match against the Netherlands, we will be having a TWO DAY event at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre June 18 and 19 culminating in the game against the Netherlands at 730am on Saturday. Hope to see you all there!!

GO NIPPON GO!!

About Kazu Tokuyama

Japanese fans anyone?

Hi all, my name is Kazu and I am an organizer with the Japanese Football club of Toronto, promoting soccer and friendship between Canadians and Japanese people. I am a huge follower of the Japanese National team and the Canadian, of course. This being the World Cup 2010 and only Japan in it, my allegiances do not have to stray...

I know it will be a tough go for Japan seeing as how awful they're doing in their warmup games (Losses to South Korea 0-2, England 1-2, and Ivory Coast 0-2) but I still have hope and think they can come out of their group (with a little luck of course).

The Japanese community is pretty small here in Toronto but we plan on having a big viewing event for the second group game vs Netherlands on June 19th so stay tuned for that...in the meantime hope to hear from some of you and GO JAPAN!!  GO SAMURAI BLUE!!

About Kazu Tokuyama