FIFA thinking about altering World Cup rotation system
It seems like an easy enough system. Rotate the location of the World Cup through the various regions of the world so that various confederations and countries have their moment in the sun. When billions of dollars are involved, however, decisions become a little more difficult and politics always come into play.
Reports are saying that FIFA is set to re-exam its World Cup rotation system in October. This could pave the way to an ultra competitive bidding process for the 2018 World Cup.
Observer Sport has learnt that a senior Fifa figure is expected to propose a new formula at a meeting of the body’s executive committee in Zurich on 29 and 30 October. This would involve replacing the idea of rotating the tournament between the continents, which led to the selection of South Africa for 2010 and is being applied in the process for deciding the 2014 hosts, with a new principle: that any country be allowed to bid except those situated in the continents to stage the past two competitions.
I personally am in favor of the current system. I like the fact that a country like South Africa has been given the opportunity to host the World Cup. I like how it builds interest in the event and the sport in various parts of the world that exist outside of Europe.
The proposed new system wouldn’t necessarily prevent this from happening, but it would increase the likelihood that the World Cup would be held in Europe every third time. This wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world considering the number of European spots reserved for teams in the competition and the football infrastructure that exists on the continent, but if the event is going to live up to its trademarked name it should be played throughout the world.
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Comments
By Rayed | July 24th, 2007 at 8:20 am 
I disagee with you there Bob. Every second World Cup should be in Europe, with every alternate World Cup being a combination of bids from all the other confederations.
I am already scared about the crime rates in South Africa, and FIFA still isn’t 100% happy with Brazil’s 2014 bid. I don’t think Africa and South America possess the quality in criteria required for a World Cup. These categories include player/tourist safety, transport and world class infrastructure including stadiums (its not adequate enough to have one or two world class stadiums, this is a World Cup, they all have to be perfect). Also, we saw that Brazil was the only candidate for the 2014 World Cup. With no competition, Brazil is likely to be inefficient and host a poor World Cup all because of this rotation policy.
In Asia and North America the problem of limited candidates also arises. In Asia potentially only China, Korea/Japan (FIFA will not allow for joint bids anymore) and Australia could host. In North America its only USA and Mexico. Canada has had a shocking World Cup record, and their people couldn’t care less about football, so don’t even get me started on them.
Oceania? Haha don’t make me laugh. They will never host a World Cup, do I need to explain myself?
This leaves Europe. I can think of 15 countries on that great continent, that could not only host a World Cup, but do a brilliant job. This is what the World wants to see. Although I really like spreading the World Cup all over the world, it really isn’t practical. Every second World Cup should be in Europe, for now.
Posted from 
Australia
By Joe | July 24th, 2007 at 8:56 am Rayed, you should always stop short of claiming to know “what the World wants to see”…
Honestly? Blatter’s idea sounds… good. *cringe*
U.S., Mexico, Canada, (FIFA U-20 World Cup 2007 practically sold out), South Africa, Egypt, Venezuela (in some years, good Copa America stadiums), Brazil, Argentina, Japan, Korea, Australia, China, Arab Gulf countries…
All of these are viable (or are close to it) candidates over the next forty years…
Posted from 
United States
By skillzy | July 24th, 2007 at 5:56 pm what are you talking about, this was the most successful under 20 world cup ever. People in montreal, toronto and vancouver fucking love football and thats the only part of canada that matters anyway. they’re crazy about it. toronto fc games are insane and so are the fans. Its such a multicultural country that every nation has a huge community here. the only reason that canada doesnt get world cup is because are national team sucks ass, cause anyone whos good goes and plays for another country. usually the country of their roots.
Posted from 
Canada
By Claude | August 7th, 2007 at 12:23 am Hey Bob - I can’t find your blog on AOL anymore. What is the direct link to get to this place. I love reading your stuff and the replies even if I don’t agree with you like this rotation thingy. Brazil points out a major problem. If every 5th. world cup they are the only applicant they would then get the cup every 20 years while a European host might have to wait a century or longer. What happens if there are no applications from one confederation or the applications aren’t up to FIFA’s standard? Do we then postpone the cup 4 years or go to the next confederation in the rotation? The Brazil problem of having no competing bids makes a good arguement for combining the N. America and S. America rotation into one bid and let’s hope that the US doesn’t host the world cup every 16 years.
Posted from United States
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