Well, Buffalo and 69 other cities. But still! Each of the 70 selected cities has until April 17 to submit bids for the 2018 or 2022 USA World Cup tournaments. USA officials believe that Europe will most likely be awarded the 2018 World Cup, and that 2022 is a more realistic estimate for the World Cup.
Bids for the tournament are restricted to general continental or large geographic areas. 2010 is being held in South Africa, and 2014 in Brazil. Due to a newly adopted rotational policy, bids for 2018 and 2022 can only come from North America, Asia, Europe or Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, and other islands in the Pacific ocean). If one of those continents wins 2018, they will be excluded from the 2022 selection process.
Buffalo has already proven themselves to be a great venue for international tournaments, as our HSBC Arena will play host to the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. If Buffalo officials make the bid, the FIFA selection committee will hopefully take into account that another international committee found Buffalo to be a suitable town for a gigantic sports tournament. While it can be argued that ours is a hockey town over soccer, having ample lodging, restaurants, and attractions make Buffalo an enticing city.
What about the fear is that the Bills might move by then? While a realistic obstacle, let's pray to the NFL gods that Ralph Wilson Stadium will still be in operation.
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Bids for the tournament are restricted to general continental or large geographic areas. 2010 is being held in South Africa, and 2014 in Brazil. Due to a newly adopted rotational policy, bids for 2018 and 2022 can only come from North America, Asia, Europe or Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, and other islands in the Pacific ocean). If one of those continents wins 2018, they will be excluded from the 2022 selection process.
Buffalo has already proven themselves to be a great venue for international tournaments, as our HSBC Arena will play host to the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. If Buffalo officials make the bid, the FIFA selection committee will hopefully take into account that another international committee found Buffalo to be a suitable town for a gigantic sports tournament. While it can be argued that ours is a hockey town over soccer, having ample lodging, restaurants, and attractions make Buffalo an enticing city.
What about the fear is that the Bills might move by then? While a realistic obstacle, let's pray to the NFL gods that Ralph Wilson Stadium will still be in operation.
If my memory serves me, we made an attempt to be one of the sites for the '94 WC. I believe our bid was based on the proximity to Canada. They chose Detroit instead. Does anyone else have details?