FIFA Rumored to want US/Canada to Replace Qatar as host venue for 2022 World Cup

[Ozy_Flame]

http://www.sportskeeda.com/football/...to-usa-canada/


The chief governing body has put forward USA and Canada as the hosts to replace Qatar in 2022. Qatar on the other hand is still continuing with the construction of the ultra-modern stadiums for the World Cup, though it is increasingly appearing they would not be put to use anytime for the mega event. The decision to change the venue will be the first time in the World Cup’s 80-year history.

Posted this in the other World Cup thread, but thought it deserves its own attention.

Would we be ready for this? We have four soccer ready stadiums for sure (Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal), but not sure how much more we'd have to prepare, assuming we have more than 1 or 2 venues on our side of the border.

Thoughts?

Title Edit: Doing some digging, this is more of a rumor and less of an official announcement. See the Reddit thread for details.

[Mango]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Would we be ready for this? We have four soccer ready stadiums for sure (Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal), but not sure how much more we'd have to prepare, assuming we have more than 1 or 2 venues on our side of the border.

Thoughts?

Turf is a huge issue right now. Those stadiums would all have to go to grass. All of the Women's World Cup next year is going to be played on turf and no one is happy about it. Abby Wambach has been the most vocal, citing injuries and inconsistency of ball bounces and movement. For the friendly recently in Vancouver, the German head coach said "it sucks". CSA isn't willing to foot the bill to change it. The Canadian players don't seem pleased, but since they are hosting the tournament, they can't really say much to change it.

That said, I'm sure they would switch it out for the men because more teams are taking part and more fans would pay attention. Lately, a number of players like Dafoe and Henry have said they won't play at BC Place because of the turf. I'm sure if Messi or Ronaldo said they won't play, CSA or whomever would move at the speed of light to change.

[d_phaneuf]

if it's a split world cup, I really doubt they build much infrastructure

I would hope they give it to more but I could easily see them giving Canada games in only Toronto and Vancouver (putting Grass in BC Place and Skydome isn't that expensive)

[mac_82]

Toronto has dropped $100k to put down temporary grass when they still had turf. They did it for the Real Madrid friendly, and I'm sure they did it at least 1 other time.

For an event as big as the world cup, I'm sure each venue can spend $100k on some temporary grass for 3-4 games each.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by mac_82

Toronto has dropped $100k to put down temporary grass when they still had turf. They did it for the Real Madrid friendly, and I'm sure they did it at least 1 other time.

For an event as big as the world cup, I'm sure each venue can spend $100k on some temporary grass for 3-4 games each.

Ya, that would seem like a very minor price to pay considering the amount of tourism the event would bring.

Host countries automatically get a spot in the tourney, right? Co-hosting could do wonders for the Canadian program too. Getting grass shouldn't be an issue at all.

[GirlySports]

It wouldn't be the first time the World Cup has been moved. 1986 was supposed to be in colombia but got moved to Mexico

[Senator Clay Davis]

It's not the getting grass part, its the fact the US has 20+ grass stadiums with 65,000+ seats. If FIFA does move it, it's gonna wanna maximize revenue. Canada would have to do more than just convert some stadiums to grass, it would require stadium infrastructure investments (upgrades or new stadiums). Having 40,000 seat stadiums host is leaving a lot of money on the table for FIFA, and we all know they aren't doing that. So Toronto for sure, but after that it might only be Montreal, possibly Vancouver.

I'm also still not convinced FIFA will even move it considering that would be either admitting they were wrong (not happening) or that they took the bribes (don't see them admitting that either). It'll take the players refusing the play to ensure it happens.

[Tyler]

If this gets approved, look for Toronto to get the funding from the feds they need for a brand new 65-70k NFL-ready stadium

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by mac_82

Toronto has dropped $100k to put down temporary grass when they still had turf. They did it for the Real Madrid friendly, and I'm sure they did it at least 1 other time.

For an event as big as the world cup, I'm sure each venue can spend $100k on some temporary grass for 3-4 games each.

ya that's what I meant

in Vancouver and Toronto the cost is minimal to host

all other cities I would think are possible (Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton?) likely need new stadiums

[DiracSpike]

I don't get why Canada is getting lumped in here, it's not like the USA needs us in any way to strengthen their bid. Southern California alone could host this thing tomorrow, more than enough hotels, roads, airports, and stadiums.

[Read Only]

My guess is it helps from a PR perspective of FIFA helping to grow the game in Canada.

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by DiracSpike

I don't get why Canada is getting lumped in here, it's not like the USA needs us in any way to strengthen their bid. Southern California alone could host this thing tomorrow, more than enough hotels, roads, airports, and stadiums.

Optics, grow the game in North America, cooperation, appease CONCACAF

Honestly, it's a no-brainer, slam dunk to do a dual bid

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by DiracSpike

I don't get why Canada is getting lumped in here, it's not like the USA needs us in any way to strengthen their bid. Southern California alone could host this thing tomorrow, more than enough hotels, roads, airports, and stadiums.

Well I remember someone posting in an earlier thread that FIFA looks for opportunities to advance the game in Countries as part of their criteria for deciding who hosts. Having both Canada and the US host would not only be very easy for the host countries to do, but would also be huge for both countries in terms of developing their programs.

You would have to think FIFA would want to give a country like Canada a boost on their way to relevance.

[nik-]

sucks that we're going to get short changed because it's a double host, but I guess it was pretty unlikely that Canada got it anyway

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

It's not the getting grass part, its the fact the US has 20+ grass stadiums with 65,000+ seats. If FIFA does move it, it's gonna wanna maximize revenue. Canada would have to do more than just convert some stadiums to grass, it would require stadium infrastructure investments (upgrades or new stadiums). Having 40,000 seat stadiums host is leaving a lot of money on the table for FIFA, and we all know they aren't doing that. So Toronto for sure, but after that it might only be Montreal, possibly Vancouver.

BC Place can accommodate 55k for the CFL. It drops to 21k for the Whitecaps, but I'm sure that's more to do with popularity, optics, etc. Olympic Stadium is old, but can accommodate 65k, and I know Skydome is close to 50k, so I think all of those would definitely be in the cards. Would Calgary consider expanding their new facility to try and hit the 50k mark? Hard to say, but unlikely.

I'm still waiting for this to come from a reputable source. All I've seen so far is one main source being regurgitated from multiple outlets.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by rubecube

BC Place can accommodate 55k for the CFL. It drops to 21k for the Whitecaps, but I'm sure that's more to do with popularity, optics, etc. Olympic Stadium is old, but can accommodate 65k, and I know Skydome is close to 50k, so I think all of those would definitely be in the cards. Would Calgary consider expanding their new facility to try and hit the 50k mark? Hard to say, but unlikely.

I'm still waiting for this to come from a reputable source. All I've seen so far is one main source being regurgitated from multiple outlets.

I would expect on a split host, it would be max 3 cities getting to host. Toronto for sure and at least one of Montreal or Vancouver, and at best both. Even if they decided to give a 4th location to Canada, at this point it's Edmonton.

Calgary is getting left out in the cold on this I'm pretty sure.

[Tyler]

I can't see us getting the nod for more than 2 venues in our 2 biggest hubs. Olympic Stadium should be a concrete rubble by 2022.

Canada EAST - Toronto (New Stadium)
Canada WEST - Vancouver (BC Place w/t grass)

Everything else gets hosted in the US

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Tyler

I can't see us getting the nod for more than 2 venues in our 2 biggest hubs. Olympic Stadium should be a concrete rubble by 2022.

Canada EAST - Toronto (New Stadium)
Canada WEST - Vancouver (BC Place w/t grass)

Everything else gets hosted in the US

Yeah pretty much my thoughts as well. Toronto and Vancouver would be able to do it. Then, have six U.S. stadiums, of which there are a handful to choose from.

Even if Calgary didn't host anything, we'd still get the tourism fallout, especially at this time of the year - would be a huge extra boon to the City pretty much right before Stampede time.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by nik-

sucks that we're going to get short changed because it's a double host, but I guess it was pretty unlikely that Canada got it anyway

Do both hosts not make it in for a co-hosted tournament?

[nik-]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

Do both hosts not make it in for a co-hosted tournament?

I was referring to the actual host cities, not the teams. I'm not actually sure if both hosts are automatically put in. Were both Japan and Korea included without having to qualify?

edit: yes, it appears all hosts automatically qualify, even on a double bid. Sweet!