So, How's that World Cup Bid Coming?

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By Robert Wilonsky in Sports

Mon., Nov. 16 2009 @ 12:42PM

Since April, city officials have been pushing -- hard -- to land the Federation Internationale de Football Association's World Cup, either in 2018 or 2022. Matter of fact, they're even asking locals to sign a petition demanding FIFA bring the soccer matches to Dallas; so far, looks like 6,556 have scribbled their virtual John Hancocks in the hopes of leap-frogging Dallas over the 26 other U.S. cities still in the running.

The city council will get an update on efforts to bring the games to the Cotton Bowl and Cowboys Stadium this Wednesday, matter of fact. Because even though FIFA won't announce the 2018 host cities till December 2010, host city and stadium agreements are due to the USA Bid Committee by the end of the month. That's because the USABC is expected to announce its list of 18 finalists sometime next month, followed by its final submission in May. And while the host city has to provide for everything (from the stadiums to staffing to security to advertising the games), the city expects to reap millions in return for its infrastructure and investment: "Total economic impact for one Host City is projected to be $300 - $500 million," says the council's briefing, which lists possible ways we'll wind up paying for all the attendant necessities.

And, you might as well let Arlington know now: "If any games are played at Cowboys Stadium, Dallas will still be considered the Host City." Ooof.

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8 comment(s) / Post a Comment

Steve says:

Oh and they can stay in the new lovely convention center hotel! how awesome! behlch

Posted On: Monday, Nov. 16 2009 @ 12:58PM

giza says:

"If any games are played at Cowboys Stadium, Dallas will still be considered the Host City."

Reason #213 why it was a great move to let Arlington voters pay for Dallas' football stadium. Suckas!

Posted On: Monday, Nov. 16 2009 @ 1:19PM

Waterlewd says:

The petition is useless. It's already been arranged between Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini and Jack Warner.

USA will get one of them, and it won't be 2018. Those crusty limeys get 2018. England hasn't hosted since '66 and they have put all their troubles of hooliganism of the 70s through 90s behind them...sort of. As long as Lazio or Millwall aren't playing in the World Cup, it seems alright.

The 2022 winner should be announced in December 2010 also.

Posted On: Monday, Nov. 16 2009 @ 1:58PM

Bart Reeder says:

What is this "World Cup" of which you speak? The only football championship game we want here is the Super Bowl. That "FIFA" junk is not the kind of football a real Texan cares about.
Surely, we're unanimous on that, right?

Posted On: Monday, Nov. 16 2009 @ 2:51PM

Wash's ashtray says:

Give me the worlds game over American football any day.

Settle down soccer bashers- Im not saying anything bad about the foosball and Im the first to admit soccer is an accquired taste.

Posted On: Monday, Nov. 16 2009 @ 3:35PM

Jason says:

Bart,
This Texan for one is not interested in American Football aka Throwball.
I'm definitely a football (soccer) fan and would personally love to see the World Cup back in Dallas since I missed all the matches the first time around. I did get a laugh though when a drunk group of Dutch fans asked me where the red light district was. I hope they enjoyed Harry Hines.

Posted On: Monday, Nov. 16 2009 @ 4:02PM

Some Guy says:

I didn't think that FIFA would allow a World Cup match in which the ball had to skid across polypropylene. Grass man, I need grass!

Posted On: Monday, Nov. 16 2009 @ 4:49PM

Bart Reeder says:

I was trying to be facetious, because, while I like most pro sports, the money spent by spectators and teams alike on tickets, contracts, stadiums, etc., is beyond ridiculous. And people can get so worked up over a team or a particular game that fights and stampedes end up actually killing spectators. Regardless of which kind of football you like, at the end of the day, it's a freakin' GAME - win or lose, the fact that "your" team is successful or not should have exactly -0- impact on the rest of your life. The fact that some people can fall into a deep depression because their "heroes' " loss is pitiable.

When the "game" becomes more about Big Business than a child-like joy of playing the game, I find it less and less interesting, regardless of the sport involved.

Posted On: Monday, Nov. 16 2009 @ 5:21PM