Official World Cup 2014 Qualifying Thread (Blame It On RIO)

[Locke]

By the time they're done paying off all the right people it probably would have been simpler and more profitable to have just been honest and done their job properly.

[seattleflamer]

Jim Boyce, a Fifa vice-president, said today that he would be in favour of rerunning the vote for the 2022 World Cup if the governing body's chief investigator uncovers corruption in the Qatar bid.

Mr Boyce, who acts as Britain’s representative on the Fifa committee, said: “All [The Sunday Times’] evidence should go to Michael Garcia, whom Fifa have given full authority ... If Garcia’s report comes up and his recommendations are that wrongdoing happened for that vote for the 2022 World Cup, I as a member of the executive committee would have absolutely no problem whatsoever if the recommendation was for a re-vote.”

http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/...cle1417608.ece

[GirlySports]

The US would win a re-vote in a landslide.
Australia is in no position to host. They're hosting the 2015 Asian Cup in January and at the moment, the stadiums are ok but small. The main problem is the fields are awful. They'll have to bring in new grass.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_AFC_Asian_Cup

[Locke]

Originally Posted by seattleflamer

http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/...cle1417608.ece

Sounds like Mr. Boyce didnt get paid.

Originally Posted by GirlySports

The US would win a re-vote in a landslide.
Australia is in no position to host. They're hosting the 2015 Asian Cup in January and at the moment, the stadiums are ok but small. The main problem is the fields are awful. They'll have to bring in new grass.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_AFC_Asian_Cup

I dont know, I thought England had the most sensible bid.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Locke

I dont know, I thought England had the most sensible bid.

Probably but 2018 is already in Europe.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Probably but 2018 is already in Europe.

Watch it. Them's powerful words for the host country

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by Locke

I dont know, I thought England had the most sensible bid.

Unfortunately that is not a criteria for selection.

FIFA has got an opportunity here to save some face and get to hell out of Qatar at the same time. I hope they take it. I'm reading Blatter voted US and Platini Quatar.

Australia would be a horrible choice, the arse end of the planet.

If I had my way it would be Europe/Americas/Europe/Americas/other

[seattleflamer]

I'd like Australia just to keep it in the same confederation.

They'd have 8 years to figure it out which I think they can do.

Though, it most likely goes to the States which is a no brainer with the best infrastructure to pull it off in a relatively short time frame.

[Stay Golden]

Originally Posted by seattleflamer

I'd like Australia just to keep it in the same confederation.

They'd have 8 years to figure it out which I think they can do.

Though, it most likely goes to the States which is a no brainer with the best infrastructure to pull it off in a relatively short time frame.

England could pull it off as well.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by seattleflamer

I'd like Australia just to keep it in the same confederation.

They'd have 8 years to figure it out which I think they can do.

Though, it most likely goes to the States which is a no brainer with the best infrastructure to pull it off in a relatively short time frame.

As others have mentioned, England could easily pull it off. Another contender could be France, they have been on a building spree as they are hosting Euro2016.

Also, I don't think Australia is as far behind as people might think.

[Ozy_Flame]

Australia isn't as far behind as some are making it out to be (they do have some WC-ready stadiums that could be used), but their 2022 bid included ground-sharing proposals on venues that hosted cricket and rugby. This was a major issue back during the bid. Many politicians were against developing net-new stadia just for association football only.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Australia isn't as far behind as some are making it out to be (they do have some WC-ready stadiums that could be used), but their 2022 bid included ground-sharing proposals on venues that hosted cricket and rugby. This was a major issue back during the bid.

Wouldn't this be an issue for the States as well since they'll be using NFL stadiums? I guess the issue would be worse in cricket ovals though.

[seattleflamer]

England would be ready and a fine host. I just don't think FIFA will let UEFA host 2 World Cups in a row.

The US by almost any metric was the most successful host in WC history and was a favorite for '22 bid if everything was above board in the first place.

As for using NFL stadiums, there is no football b/w February and late August so artificial turf and lines wouldn't be an issue for a June tournie.

[d_phaneuf]

ya I think the reason stopping it from England is the back to back UEFA hosts

if they want to keep the same federation it's Australia, but I imagine if it does get moved it's to the US

I just hope that unlike the Copa America in 2016 that they actually put some games in Seattle, arguably their best market

[Addick]

Who's in queue right now trying to purchase some of the latest batch of tickets on sale?

[GirlySports]

in the 94 world cup the US used 9 venues

5 NFL venues and 4 college ones.

[Locke]

Falcao officially left off Colombia's squad.

http://www.espnfc.com/team/colombia/...g/post/1860704

[OBCT]

Sounds a bit sketchy.

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/world-cup-b...motels-1451214

[GirlySports]

[cam_wmh]

Anyone see the end of the Ecuador & England "friendly" (2-2 tie)

I read Sterling fouled Valencia, and got a red.
Valencia retaliated, and got a red for fighting.

England mostly played their B Squad.

Ya know, reading there were two reds, in a nothing England "friendly" game leading up to the World Cup, I was preparing to read Rooney stomped on some opponent.