| There has been a lot of talk recently about the | | | | We are a sport loving nation and crowds will be at |
| bidding for the 2018 Football World Cup. England, | | | | capacity because everyone will want to go. If |
| China and Australia have all put their hands up as the | | | | Australia goes out early, then people will get behind |
| three most likely prospective hosts. As an Australian | | | | another country. Another factor which could help is |
| it would be fantastic for the world cup to come | | | | the fact that we are an English speaking country and |
| down under. I had a look at some of the factors | | | | communication is easier for overseas spectators. |
| which could determine who gets the honor of hosting | | | | England is the current favorite to host because of a |
| in 11 years time. | | | | number of reasons. They have established |
| There are several factors as to why we can win the | | | | infrastructure and stadiums. They are hosting the |
| right to host and also why we won?t. Some of the | | | | 2012 Olympic Games and have the opportunity to |
| negatives which would adversely affect Australia's | | | | show off their hosting abilities. England, although being |
| chances include the different time zone. We are the | | | | the home of football is not well liked by the rest of |
| other side of the world from the most football | | | | Europe. They have the reputation of never |
| developed countries in the world. Europe, North and | | | | contributing to the world of football by being |
| South America as well as Africa would struggle with | | | | unsuccessful in major competitions. Crowds in England |
| television timetables. Asia however is in a similar time | | | | might also be less likely to attend games after |
| zone and is also one of the target growth areas for | | | | England has been knocked out. |
| FIFA. Australia doesn't have the stadiums and | | | | China has a real chance at hosting the 2018 event. |
| infrastructure in place to host a world cup. FIFA rules | | | | They are hosting the Olympic Games and will get a |
| state that one city can have two stadiums and that | | | | chance to show off their event management. As I |
| all other host cities must have a stadium with a | | | | said earlier FIFA is trying to target Asia as a key |
| capacity of 40,000. This means that either Sydney or | | | | growth area and have China host in 2018 would be a |
| Melbourne would have two stadiums with Brisbane, | | | | major boost to the sport in that region. Problems |
| Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Canberra, Newcastle and the | | | | with the Chinese bid may include the pollution |
| Gold Coast having one stadium each. As many of the | | | | problems that they have over there as well as their |
| stadiums in these cities are Aussie rules oval shaped | | | | poor human rights record. |
| then new stadiums would have to be built in many of | | | | It is a tough one to call but as much as I want |
| these cities. | | | | Australia to host the 2018 World Cup I think England |
| However some of the positive factors which could | | | | will get the gig. By 2018 it will have been 12 years |
| see us host the World Cup. We have an excellent | | | | since the world cup as been to Europe. Plus if it is |
| track record when holding major events. Sydney | | | | held in Australia it will be three successive World Cups |
| 2000 and Melbourne 2006 have shown the world that | | | | in the southern hemisphere. But saying that it there is |
| we can host world class events and host them well. | | | | still a long way to go. |