50 days left.... Australia's bid to host the 2022 World Cup

[TOPGUNJIMMYAUFC]

World Cup bid build-up reaches climax Tom Smithies


SOCCER chief Frank Lowy admits the next 50 days will test his endurance like little else as Australia's bid to host the 2022 World Cup reaches its crescendo.

With soccer's governing body FIFA due to reveal the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments on December 2 in Zurich, Lowy and bid officials and consultants have little time left to clinch the multi-billion-dollar event, in competition mainly with the United States and Qatar.

Lowy refused to speculate on how many of the 24 votes among FIFA's Executive Committee (ExCo) he might have swung, but revealed he had fired back at US bid chief Sunil Gulati for barely veiled criticism of Australia's campaign last week.

Last Sunday Lowy and FFA CEO Ben Buckley joined NSW Premier Kristina Keneally and Socceroos Mark Schwarzer, Tim Cahill and Luke Wilkshire on the Sydney Harbour Bridge for a bid-themed breakfast that was beamed around the world.


Thick black clouds finally unleashed a downpour but only after 6000 had picnicked on a makeshift lawn the length of the bridge, with a 4m high ball rolling between them.

"It was wonderful and it just showed what Australia can do," Lowy said. "It's very good for us (as a message) at home but it's also very good for us overseas. They can see we are active, we are welcoming and we are doing a good job.

"Every step helps - if the Socceroos do well, that's another part of it. It doesn't mean if you don't do so well that you're not going to get it. But this campaign is a build-up, brick by brick by brick."

Lowy confirmed the ExCo lobbying would intensify ahead of the December 2 decision, not least when Australia plays Egypt next month "but many other places too, I don't need to wait for Socceroos' games".

"I'll be quite busy over the next few weeks, but I've been like that for two years. This is just the culmination. I'll see more people in a short time, there is a concentration of activity. But it's not just me - I get most of the limelight maybe but there's a lot of wonderful people behind me."

Asked how many of the 24 votes he thought Australia had, Lowy was circumspect.

"I can only guess, but it wouldn't be appropriate for me to speculate publicly. Anyway, I guess differently every day."

But he was pointed about Gulati, who in Lowy and Buckley's absence from a major soccer conference in London last week asked: "Has Australia pulled out of the bid completely?" - despite explicit rules banning comment on rival campaigns. "It's a snipe, an unwelcome snipe," retorted Lowy.

"I think it does (qualify as criticism of another campaign) - you know, we see each other (as bidders) and you don't need to do that. It's not necessary and I dropped him a line."

[predator]

Intresting statement from japan regarding media broadcasts of games if they get the 2022 nod

http://crave.cnet.co.uk/televisions/jap ... -50001071/

[seanason]

The MCG wont be made available by the AFL if FIFA dont allow the 2022 AFL season to go ahead uninterrupted.

[Red-4-Life]

The MCG wont be made available by the AFL if FIFA dont allow the 2022 AFL season to go ahead uninterrupted.

The AFL dont have control of the MCG...the MCC do...the AFL can get fucked tbh

[TOPGUNJIMMYAUFC]

THE battle for the right to host the 2022 World Cup is shaping as a race between the US and Australia, after the Americans withdrew their bid for the 2018 competition yesterday

[bapa]

USA 94, I dont think FIFA would allow them to rehost it again, so soon!


my money is on Australia and japan bid
However, because 2018 will go to europe, most likely England, 2022 WILL GO TO a non european country
Japan looks likely, but rule out qatar and korea, I.M.O

[Con]

Hope you're right El Diego. It's too soon after USA'94 to give it to the Yanks again. But FIFA awarded Mexico '86, a mere sixteen years after Mexico'70.

ps, forumites. Did you see where two FIFA delegates were sprung asking for "donations" for their vote? ("The Australian" newspaper, 18/10/10, covert photo and all)

[bapa]

Hope you're right El Diego. It's too soon after USA'94 to give it to the Yanks again. But FIFA awarded Mexico '86, a mere sixteen years after Mexico'70.

ps, forumites. Did you see where two FIFA delegates were sprung asking for "donations" for their vote? ("The Australian" newspaper, 18/10/10, covert photo and all)

Yeah hopefully, FIFA award it to us
I aslo think that AUS should get it over Japan (our main contenders) as the world game still hasnt taking off here as opposed to japan.
And as FIFA wants to promote th sport worldwide, it should work in our favour.

But, only stepping block is the gayfl!!!!!
I still believe the gayfl is gonna rape us, and prevent us from hosting the world cup!!!

[seanason]

If USA 94 was too close, then what makes you think that Japan will have a remote chance to get the bid?

[nachoman]

Hope you're right El Diego. It's too soon after USA'94 to give it to the Yanks again. But FIFA awarded Mexico '86, a mere sixteen years after Mexico'70.

ps, forumites. Did you see where two FIFA delegates were sprung asking for "donations" for their vote? ("The Australian" newspaper, 18/10/10, covert photo and all)

Wasnt this because it was awarded to Colombia and then they withdrew because of economic difficulties?

[TOPGUNJIMMYAUFC]

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/aus ... 5940278463