Asian Football: The Race To Host The 2022 World Cup

Most eyes in England may be on the race for 2018 but elsewhere in the world, billions of fans will be fixated on who gets to host 2022. And there is a good chance it is coming east.

These are some interesting times for Asia. Not only is the Asian Cup just around the corner but no less than four members of the Asian Football Confederation are bidding for the 2022 World Cup.

Australia, Japan, South Korea and Qatar have all thrown their hats in the ring to host the global jamboree along with the United States. .

Australia

Strengths - The biggest one is that the Aussies have never had it, something three of their four rivals are not able to say. The nation is sporting mad and there is little doubt that they would put on quite an event with passion and enthusiasm. The Sydney Olympics took those games to a new level and FIFAs technical report was a good one.

Weaknesses -Theres not much in the way of what FIFA say they want -an international legacy. Helping football compete with rival sports in an isolated island of 20 million doesnt really get the pulse racing. There have been rows with other codes over the use of stadia and from a political point of view, Australias lack of representation on the FIFA Executive Committee it is alone in this regard- is a disadvantage.

Japan

Strengths -As far as Japan is concerned, they could host the competition tomorrow. The stadia and the infrastructure are all in place. The nation has very good public transport and is promising to use revolutionary technology to share the World Cup with the world. It is a no-risk bid.

Weaknesses- Japan hosted in 2002 and memories are still fresh. There is a lack of legacy and the technology being talked about is still under development. There has been little media presence by people involved in the bid.

Korea

Strengths -Like Japan, the infrast! ructure is in place to host the competition with no stress for FIFA.South Korea wins in the legacy stakes with a proposal to host a game or two in Pyongyang in 2022. Received the best report from FIFAs inspection team and its compact size makes for a convenient competition.

Weaknesses -2002 is the major weak point for Korea. With two of their rivals for the bid never having hosted the competition, Korea has to work hard toconvince FIFA committee members that the 2022 World Cup should come to East Asia.

Qatar

Strengths- Theres a novelty about Qatars bid. From the state-of-the-art stadia (all air-conditioned) to the fact that the nation and the region has never hosted it before, it would be a change of direction from FIFA. There is a legacy involved in taking the World Cup to the Middle-East. Geographically, Qatar is conveniently located.

Weaknesses -Qatar received a negative evaluation from FIFAs inspection team in regard to the fact that it is incredibly hot in Doha in June, a potential health risk said the report very damaging. The idea of such a small nation hosting the worlds biggest sporting event is also a bit of a stretch.

United States

Strengths- The US boasts the most, the biggest and probably the best stadia in the world and has the experience to host whatever event you care to mention and could probably cope with the World Cup, the Olympics and the G-20 summit all at the same time. There are more seats available for fans and therefore more ticket sales and other revenue to be had. America is also facing a divided Asian challenge.

Weaknesses -With its focus on how much money it would make, the US doesnt seem to have though too much about a genuine legacy. FIFAs inspection team was concerned about the level of government support and the country is the size of a continent.

Possible Process

Trying to predict what will! happen in a process that has already driven the world of football around the bend is almost pointless. However, it is expected that Japan will be the first to be eliminated and after that, it is anyones guess though Qatar is expected to start strongly. Doubts remain over whether the Middle-Eastern nation has what it takes to pick up the second choices votes after early eliminations that will be the key for all bidders.

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