A fickle bunch, these FIFA people, which they sort of need to be at this point in time with allegations flying from every direction.
Their report on each of the bids for 2018 & 2022 has been released, with lots of interesting insights. But no clear indication where the World Cups might go.
Although bland but safe England sounds like a decent bet.
BBC broke down the European edition (2018) due to obvious self-interest:
ENGLAND BID
Good points: Transport, stadia, IT, security, marketing, legacy
Bad points: Too few venue-specific training sites or venue-specific team hotels, too few training base camp hotels
SPAIN/PORTUGAL BID
Good points: Stadia, transport, hotels, legacy
Bad points: Lack of clear security plan, co-hosting “a challenge”
RUSSIA BID
Good points: 13 planned new stadia, hotels, legacy
Bad points: Huge transport challenge and major building programme needed
NETHERLANDS/BELGIUM BID
Good points: Stadia, legacy
Bad points: Too few hotel rooms, co-hosting “a challenge”, lack of government guarantees
In England’s favor, it sounds more as though FIFA was looking for problems rather than presented with obvious shortcomings. However, Russia has the distinct advantage of being fresh, different, and possibly willing to offer up more in the arena of handshakes. (You know.)
And it appears FIFA’s no fan of co-habitation after Soouth Japan 2002, so that’s a distinct advantage.
From the Asian (plus US) perspective, the two most interesting stories come from South Korea and Qatar, two bids with wildly different hype as we approach the deadline. The latter has generated extraordinary buzz with its throw-money-at-it solution to the heat that is mid-summer in Qatar – about which FIFA appears very skeptical – while the latter has generated almost no buzz at all. That, however, changes with the revelation that it could hold some games in North Korea should they be awarded 2022.
And you just know Sepp would love nothing more for the mere opportunity to take credit from bringing the Koreas together. Sounds like a deviously cunning plan on the part of South Korea, and one which might be effective.
Incredibly, we’re only 14 days from the official announcement. Stay tuned as more “confidential” reports are publicly leaked by the day.
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