bodymassindicator

I think the WC does and should have something to do with other major events, because of the implications for the countries hosting them. Commonwealth Games or Rugby World Cup obviously can be ignored because of the little impact, but both the Olympics and the World Cup generate enormous economic revenue and can help a country build up an infrastructure in a time frame that otherwise wouldn't be possible.

Sure, first and foremost the host nation should have to demonstrate the ability to run a successful event, but these things being equal I think a little bit of fairness should be considered. There are a lot more people benefiting from such an event than just the fans of the sport.

retired_nini59

as long as they aren't consecutive then I don't have a problem with it tbh, the World Cup is much more spread out than the Olympics, and having one pretty close to the other is beneficial in building infrastructure and stadia and so could well help the bid.

retired_nini59

Also all the likely bidders for 2018, (USA, Australia, England, China) have had or will have had recent Olympic games, (apart from Netherlands/Belgium and any Russian bid), so we certainly shouldn't rule countries out because of it otherwise we'd be left with not very many countries. Spain haven't even suggested bidding yet, though after the failed Madrid bid you'd expect them to have a pop at this, or maybe it scared them off. Italy were rumoured to want it, but they've not suggested going for it yet, but they probably figure the competition is too strong so there's no point.

bodymassindicator

I think the timing is actually pretty unfortunate for England because I suppose the decision will be made at the end of 2011, at a time when England is in full gear hyping up the Olympics without having demonstrated yet if they're going to be successful.

retired_jdupont

If the 2008 Olympic Games becomes a big success (which is likely to happen), then China is surely going to be chosen for 2018.

retired_nini59

If the 2008 Olympic Games becomes a big success (which is likely to happen), then China is surely going to be chosen for 2018. </BLOCKQUOTE>

sorry but I can't see 3 consecutive world cups being held outside Europe. Firstly it would leave them having to host a lot of future world cups in Europe as most non-Euro countries who could host it will have done so recently. Secondly if SA goes badly they'll want one they know will be safe and will make money, which imo means England or the US. If they still have worries over Brazil at this point then they'll keep the US free so it can go there in 2014 if needs be.

I think 2018 is Europe's with the next two elsewhere and then back to Europe again, and repeat until all of China, USA, Australia, maybe Mexico and maybe another African country or a South American country if they can get their act together, but then they will be struggling to find any more non-Euro countries to host it, ofc then we'll be 24/28 years down the line and someone else might be ready, or we could go back to Japan. But to get rid of one of the 3/4 non-Euro countries who could host it in the near future when there are at least as many Euro countries waiting would limit a lot of future competitions to being held in Europe imo.

retired_jdupont

If the 2008 Olympic Games becomes a big success (which is likely to happen), then China is surely going to be chosen for 2018. </BLOCKQUOTE>

sorry but I can't see 3 consecutive world cups being held outside Europe. Firstly it would leave them having to host a lot of future world cups in Europe as most non-Euro countries who could host it will have done so recently. Secondly if SA goes badly they'll want one they know will be safe and will make money, which imo means England or the US. If they still have worries over Brazil at this point then they'll keep the US free so it can go there in 2014 if needs be.

I think 2018 is Europe's with the next two elsewhere and then back to Europe again, and repeat until all of China, USA, Australia, maybe Mexico and maybe another African country or a South American country if they can get their act together, but then they will be struggling to find any more non-Euro countries to host it, ofc then we'll be 24/28 years down the line and someone else might be ready, or we could go back to Japan. But to get rid of one of the 3/4 non-Euro countries who could host it in the near future when there are at least as many Euro countries waiting would limit a lot of future competitions to being held in Europe imo. </BLOCKQUOTE>

Good points. Maybe they could then let England host it in 2018 (Benelux hosting it would be a joke) and let China host it in 2022 and the USA in 2026 and let Argentina/Uruguay host it in 2030.

But the hosts are selected through voting, so if China is still overhyped by 2011, I wouldn't rule them out. They could easily get lots of votes from other continents apart from Europe, if they know how to get their support.

retired_nini59

you've still got 3 consecutive hosts outside of Europe though, ok more and more revenue is coming from Asia and other parts of the world, but to wait 16 years between European WCs would be too much, especially as by 2030 you'd have Italy and Spain probably gagging for it, plus Russia if you count them as European. So 2030 would be Europe for me, with 2034 and 2038 going to Australia and another non-euro country, which might have to be a joint bid, then 2042 back to Europe. By this time the whole world economy would've shifted so much that you'll probably see less Euro WCs, as well as less Euro qualifiers, though it's impossible to predict, so I'm not going to try.

retired_jdupont

I don't know how many votes each continent has in the WC hosts voting process, but they are going to decide who hosts it in 2018, and I am pretty sure China will do a lot to get support from other continents.

The fact Europe will have to wait 16 years to host a WC won't matter if it is not used to gain support from whoever takes part in the voting process.

retired_rachelst

End of the world in 2012 anyway so all this is moot.