This leaves the 2018 and 2022 tournament open for a nation to host, as FIFA will chose the host in December 2010. Other countries looking to host one of the tournaments are: England, Australia, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands-Belgium, Russia, Spain-Portugal, Qatar, and the Republic of Korea. At first glance the Americans have a disadvantage since they hosted the tournament the most recently in 1994. However, America's neighbors to the South Mexico hosted the tournament in 1970 and 1986, only 16 years apart, so their is a precedent for having a tournaments in relatively rapids succession. If the US were to host the tournament from 1994 to 2018 at the earliest that would be 24 years.
Forgetting the time elapse from the last time the Cup was help in the US, FIFA must take into account that the Soccer Culture is COMPLETELY different than it was in 1994. Youth Leagues are in every town, more High Schools, and Colleges have Soccer Programs, and with the founding of the MLS in 1996, the United States has a Professional Soccer League. So it could be easily argued that FIFA did not reach the full potential of hosting the tournament of American soil. As this summers World Football Challenge held in the States shows, Americans will come out in droves to watch World-Class Soccer. In each of the 6 matches, top notch clubs sold out MLS size stadiums, to watch what was considered a 'foreign game'.
In reference to that 1994 World Cup held in the United States, no other World Cup made more money are was attended more than that tournament. In all regards the World Cup held in the United States in 1994 was the most successful one in the tournament's history. So it makes pure financial sense for FIFA to host the World Cup in the US for 2018, that tournaments revenue will blow away the revenue from the 1994 tournament. (Especially since FIFA is not liking what the attendance might be for the South African tournament, so dollars may come to help the US' chances of securing a bid in the long run).
As for the United States, soccer has never been more popular in this county, and hosting the tournament will only help that growth. Also take in part the ALL-STAR cast that is trying to secure the bid for the US, including Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, TV Host Drew Carey, Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones, Barack Obama, and many others (also that would not make a bad sitcom....the possibilities!) But back to soccer, it makes all around good sense for the to host the 2018 World Cup, especially if it can capitalize on Chicago securing the bid for the 2016 Summer Games.
While it is almost inevitable for the US to host in either 2018 or 2022, it just makes sense for the United States to host the 18' tournament. Why delay the inevitable. There is a passion for World-Class Soccer in the country, the National Team is achieving new heights, the sport is growing. And if those are not good enough reasons then the end all argument can be this-A World Cup in the US will be a GOLD MINE.It is guarantied to make lots of money for both the US and FIFA. While the other countries can argue tradition, and their national love for the game. Also the fact that if the US gets the US bid, that will be THREE World Cups NOT held in Europe...scary. While it is too early to tell, the enthusiasm from some big names is sure to help the US cause. One or two more big-shots, or maybe a good showing of the US in 2010 South Africa, then the rest of the world will be booking plane tickets to the United States. If this is to be true, than no matter who wins the tournament, the US with the economic boost will be the clear winner.
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