MORGAN FREEMAN may have fluffed his lines but the US remain favourites to stage the 2022 World Cup in the face of strong competition from surprise challengers Qatar following yesterday’s bid presentations.
The US promised bumper profits, Japan unveiled revolutionary 3D technology, Australia vowed to “turbo charge” football’s growth, South Korea said the World Cup could bring peace to the region and Qatar appealed to Fifa to take a “bold gamble” in taking its cash cow to the Middle East.
While European eyes are on 2018, the destination of the 2022 tournament could prove more pivotal to Fifa. The outcome could influence the chances of a challenger emerging to president Sepp Blatter in his re-election campaign next spring. He is desperate to avoid victory for Qatar, whose bold campaign together with the political nous of executive committee member Mohamed Bin Hammam have divided opinion as they progressed from outsiders to contenders.
But the US’s promise of record profits is likely to prove more of an influencing factor. “Over 100 million watched the World Cup back home, indicative of how far we have come,” said former Everton player Landon Donovan. “The World Cup captivated our country and something special happened this summer in our love for the game.”
Bill Clinton emphasised the diversity of the country and the large support that would exist for every team. “We can fill a stadium with home-nation rooters.”
An Australian presentation team said their World Cup would deliver a secure tournament on the only continent never to host it.
Ben Buckley, the bid’s chief executive, promised Fifa it could enjoy a “no worries” World Cup in a “famous sporting culture”.
Qatar attempted to deal with the issues surrounding the intense heat, highlighted in a Fifa technical report, and encouraged the governing body to take the World Cup to new territories.
“We know it would be a bold gamble and an exciting prospect but with no risk,” the bid chief executive Hassan al-Thawadi said. “Heat is not and will not be an issue.”
Japan promised to use 3D technology to beam matches around the world.
GuardianService
WORLD CUP 2018/2022: HOW THE VOTES WILL WORK
THE 22 members of Fifa's executive committee will meet today to vote on the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Holland/Belgium will start the bid presentations at 8am followed by Spain/Portugal at 9am, England at 10am and Russia at 11am. At around 1pm the secret ballot will begin with a decision announced at 3pm.
To win outright a bid must win 12 votes to gain an overall majority.
Until an outright majority is achieved, voting will take place in rounds with the bidder with the fewest votes eliminated.
If there is a tie for the lowest number of votes in any round, an intermediate voting round will be conducted with votes solely on the tied bidders to determine which progresses.
After the 2018 bid is concluded, the 2022 vote will take place. The winners of both World Cups will be put into two envelopes and given to Fifa president Sepp Blatter to announce.
