World Cup in USA in 2010?

[AreliusIV]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-soccol11apr11,1,443006,print.story?coll=la-headlines-sports-soccer

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by AreliusIV

http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-soccol11apr11,1,443006,print.story?coll=la-headlines-sports-soccer

Has South Africa been ousted as the host for 2010?

[devNull]

No, South Africa still technically has the 2010 WC. The article speculates that if either South Africa (2010) or Brasil (2014) stumble then the US stands ready to step in and host the event. Kind of like what happened with the last WWC.

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by devNull

No, South Africa still technically has the 2010 WC. The article speculates that if either South Africa (2010) or Brasil (2014) stumble then the US stands ready to step in and host the event. Kind of like what happened with the last WWC.

Cool thanks... I just didn't feel like registering for yet another site...

[devNull]

Originally Posted by Deuce

Cool thanks... I just didn't feel like registering for yet another site...

Yeah, tell me about that. I had been stonewalled by the LA Times registration enough in the recent past to finally break down and get a login...

[prk166]

You guys need to use firefox and bugmenot. A simple right click will get you past a lot of the free registration stuff.

[devNull]

I do use firefox and know about bugmenot, but choose not to use it. Thanks for the tip though. It does work quite well for those who want to use it.

[AreliusIV]

U.S. Is Ready to Step In if World Cup Plans Fizzle
GRAHAME L. JONES

April 11, 2006

When Colombia failed to get its act together in time to stage the 1986 World Cup, FIFA quickly moved the tournament to Mexico.

Twenty years later, that precedent remains a tantalizing prospect.

What if South Africa stumbles in its efforts to stage the 2010 World Cup? What if Brazil is financially unable to play host to the tournament in 2014?

Would world soccer's governing body move either of those events to the United States?

It's not beyond the realm of possibility.

Already there have been uneasy rumblings out of South Africa over that country's preparedness to stage the 32-team tournament in four years.

In March, there were warnings that South Africa would not be able to beam the World Cup to the world without a massive and costly upgrade of its digital television transmission network.

Then, just last week, Helen Zille, the mayor of Cape Town, questioned whether her city could afford its $165-million contribution toward a new stadium when there were so many homeless in the city.

World Cup organizers dismissed such fears but there are sure to be many more hiccups on the road to Africa's first World Cup.

In Brazil, meanwhile, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the country's president, has assured the Brazilian soccer federation of "all the backing necessary" for the World Cup in 2014.

But Brazil might not be able to afford what it takes to put on the tournament. Soccer-loving Brazil, a five-time world champion, does not even have suitable stadiums, let alone everything else needed.

All of which is why the U.S. is watching and waiting.

The memory of 1994, when the U.S. staged the best-attended and most profitable World Cup in history, lingers at FIFA headquarters in Switzerland, and returning the tournament to these shores 20 years later is an increasingly appealing option.

[SoccerPrime]

Technically, Brazil hasn't won the 2014 bid yet and so US although an outsider, is still a contender for the 2014 WC.

But considering safety and amenities in Brazil and SA, I could totally see this happening. Is it bad to hope that it happens?

[Aerick]

I selfishly want the WC to stay in SA for 2010. I'd like to plan a return visit with the WC as part of my itenerary.