World Cup 2018, 2022 hosting race heats up at FIFA
Saturday, 15 May 2010
ZURICH, May 14 (AP): Nine candidates hoping to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022 began delivering their bid books to FIFA Friday. Australia made the first presentation to FIFA president Sepp Blatter, handing over a 750-page book detailing how it would stage the world's biggest sporting event.
"It is now the kick off," Blatter told the Australian delegation.
Four bidders from Europe, four from the Asian confederation plus the United States will file through in alphabetical order to present their technical documents.
Australia was followed by an England bid team fronted by David Beckham.
Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy said he recognised it was a difficult contest.
"We hope and pray that we might be the lucky country," said Lowy, a billionaire businessman who is leading the bid. Europe is favored to be given the 2018 finals, with England and Russia competing against joint bids from Netherlands-Belgium and Spain-Portugal. All four are also in the 2022 race but would be barred if one gets the 2018 tournament.
"It is now the kick off," Blatter told the Australian delegation.
Four bidders from Europe, four from the Asian confederation plus the United States will file through in alphabetical order to present their technical documents.
Australia was followed by an England bid team fronted by David Beckham.
Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy said he recognised it was a difficult contest.
"We hope and pray that we might be the lucky country," said Lowy, a billionaire businessman who is leading the bid. Europe is favored to be given the 2018 finals, with England and Russia competing against joint bids from Netherlands-Belgium and Spain-Portugal. All four are also in the 2022 race but would be barred if one gets the 2018 tournament.