2014 FIFA World Cup
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The 2014 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place in South America. On March 7 2003 FIFA announced that the cup would be held in South America for the first time since Argentina hosted the 1978 FIFA World Cup, in line with its policy of rotating the right to host the World Cup amongst different confederations.
On June 3, 2003 the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) announced that Argentina, Brazil and Colombia wanted to host the 2014 World Cup finals.[Argentina, Brazil and Colombia Want 2014 World Cup] The final decision as to hosting will be made sometime in 2008. If Brazil is deemed not to be a viable candidate in accordance with FIFA regulations, the competition may be held elsewhere. Possible bids besides Brazil include Argentina and Chile jointly, Colombia, Australia and the United States.
South American Bids
Argentina/Chile
It was suggested that Argentina and Chile could launch a joint bid but later reports suggest it unlikely. On the topic of co-hosting, Blatter advised that FIFA would prefer a single candidate which fulfilled the requirements. Argentina hosted the 1978 World Cup, and has hosted the Copa América eight times (1916, 1921, 1925, 1929, 1937, 1946, 1959, and 1987). Chile hosted the 1962 World Cup, and has hosted the Copa América six times (1920, 1926, 1941, 1945, 1955, and 1991).Brazil
Brazil is the leading candidate for the World Cup. By March 17, 2004 the CONMEBOL associations voted unanimously to adopt Brazil as their sole candidate.[Blatter reiterates wish that the 2014 World Cup be in Brazil] However, on April 13 2006 FIFA president Sepp Blatter said that does not necessarily mean that the tournament would be in Brazil. "For the time being, I don't think Brazil has a stadium for the Cup." But it should be noted, that he had only visited stadiums in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Porto Alegre. On July 4, 2006 Blatter said the 2014 World Cup would probably be held in the country. Brazil hosted the 1950 World Cup, and has hosted the Copa América four times (1919, 1922, 1949, and 1989).Porto Alegre newspaper Zero Hora ran a report on 16 July 2006 describing how the nation is preparing to receive the World Cup. According to the paper, Brazil will make its official bid by the end of the year, and Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Porto Alegre and Belo Horizonte are almost certain as host cities in case Brazil is appointed to host the World Cup. However, since FIFA stipulates a minimum of eight and a maximum of 10 host cities, there are many other likely venues for World Cup matches. Zero Hora mentions Florianópolis, whose Estádio Orlando Scarpelli, owned by Figueirense Futebol Clube, will likely be remodelled aiming at hosting World Cup matches. Also Curitiba, where arguably the most modern Brazilian stadium is located, Kyocera Arena, owned by Clube Atlético Paranaense, as well as a few cities in the Centre, North and North-East, such as Fortaleza, Salvador, Recife, Belém and the capital Brasília.
Rio de Janeiro will host the Pan American Games in 2007 and is already preparing to receive the competition by investing in infra-structure, including the construction of an Olympic Village, and Olympic Stadium and the restoration of the legendary Maracanã. The organization of the games may prove decisive for Brazil to show its ability to host a World Cup. However, CBF chief media officer Rodrigo Paiva is quoted as saying that even after such restoration Maracanã will not yet be ready to host World Cup matches because the current restoration is not aimed at meeting FIFA standards.
Colombia
The president of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe, announced on July 15, 2006 that Colombia would become a candidate to host the 2014 World Cup. During his speech at the opening ceremony of the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games, Uribe said: "By seeing how things were done to organise these Games, I think Colombia is capable of hosting a football World Cup. I'm sure we will achieve it and will do it very well." Uribe has put vice-president Francisco Santos Calderón in charge of the project. Colombia has been set to be the host of the 1986 World Cup, but the hosting was later given to Mexico, due to economic problems and unstable situation in Colombia at the time. Colombia hosted the Copa América once, in 2001.Other Proposed Bids
Australia
South Australian premier Mike Rann put forward a proposal for Australia to host the 2014 event. He was backed by Prime Minister John Howard who said that Australia has proven it can host world sporting events. Football Federation Australia President, Mr. Frank Lowy who has also expressed considerable interest in the proposal and is amid negotiations to formally put forward Australia's hosting proposal. Australia is now part of Asia which has not hosted since 2002 as compared to Oceania which has never hosted. Australia has hosted the OFC Nations Cup twice (1998, and 2004), and four-way co-hosted once (1996). Despite Australia's large number of capable stadiums (because of Melbourne and Sydney's recent Commenwealth Games and Olympic Games) and its outstanding performance at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, many believe Australia may have to wait until 2018 or later before it will stand a chance of hosting.United States
The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) has expressed interest since the 2002 FIFA World Cup to offer a bid for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Given the support soccer now has in the U.S., USSF now Immediate Past President Dr. S. Robert Contiguglia is confident that the U.S. can put together a very strong bid. The United States hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup, plus the 1999 and 2003 Women's World Cups (the latter on short notice, as original host China was forced to relinquish hosting duties due to the SARS breakout in that country). The US has also hosted the Gold Cup six times (1991, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2005), co-hosted twice (1993, 2003), and will host again in 2007.United Arab Emirates
In the English-written United Arab Emirates newspaper 7days sports section on July 10, 2006 it was stated that Dubai might place a possible bid to host the 2014 World Cup, This information is not yet confirmed but seems possible, as the UAE hosted major tournaments in the past like the 1996 Asian Cup and the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship.Jordan/Iraq
The football federations of Jordan and Iraq are mulling the bid to host the World Cup. "The situation at the moment would make any bid ludicrous," Crown Prince Feisal al-Hussein of Jordan was quoted as saying in his interview to The Times and Guardian newspapers. "What will things be like in five years time? It could be a very prosperous nation. If the conditions are right, people will take it seriously." [The Guardian - Baghdad looks ahead - to bid for the World Cup], [Sports Illustated - Iraq, Jordan mull bid to host 2014 World Cup]References
External links
- [FIFA President gives press briefing - 20 May 2006]
- [Mundial Colombia 2014] Web Site for the Promotion of Colombia's 2014 World Cup bid. (In Spanish)
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- Asia: AFC – Asian Cup
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- Europe: UEFA – European Championship
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