Time for Australia to get behind the 2022 World Cup bid

[Mr.G]

WITH the eyes of the world fixed on South Africa for the past month, it has only reiterated the power of football and particularly the World Cup.

It also confirms the absurdity of the AFL-led anti-World Cup propaganda in Australia.

To consider the hosting of a World Cup a waste of money is like saying Australians don't care about football.

Shock horror - FFA are spending a whopping $11.37m of taxpayer-funded money on the bid.

What cynics consistently and conveniently fail to mention is that the Cup would generate colossal wealth for the nation.

An IBISWorld study released today estimated the 2022 World Cup would generate $35.5 billion in spending across the Australian economy - dwarfing the $9 billion generated by the 2000 Olympics.

"Football's World Cup and summer editions of Olympic Games vie for the title of the biggest sports event on the planet. However, when it comes to spending, there is a clear winner," said IBISWorld general manager (Australia) Robert Bryant. "IBISWorld forecasts that the 2022 World Cup in Australia would, in real terms, generate four times more spending than the 2000 Olympics."

Over one million people have entered South Africa's borders since early June and that number would be much higher in Australia because of the pre-2010 tournament security fears.

Just as the 2006 World Cup changed the perception of Germany, the 2010 World Cup has left the globe viewing South Africa and the entire African continent in a much more positive light.

With Australia's 22 million a fraction of the world's 6.7 billion population, the World Cup provides Australia with a wonderful opportunity to become part of the world and not apart from it.

If people thought the Olympics were huge, the World Cup will hit them for six, attracting 750,000 spectators from abroad as opposed to Sydney 2000's 130,000.

Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Geelong and Townsville would all get a slice of the pie this time - not just Sydney.

While the majority of Australians support the World Cup bid, some of the minority that didn't would probably change their view if the information they were receiving on the World Cup and football generally was objective.

Australians have had ignorant, ill-informed rubbish about football shoved down their throats for decades.

But the number of Australians who have experienced the power and unity of the world game is rapidly growing.

The World Cup has copped its standard lines from the usual critical suspects - "boring, un-Australian, a silly game, diving cheats" etc. We've heard it all before.

Most concerning is the AFL's bully-boy tactics in trying to undermine the bid.

Australia can learn huge lessons from South Africa, where the whites (traditional rugby union followers) embraced the World Cup because it was of great benefit to the country.

Not only did many thoroughly enjoy it but they had a month-long party they'll never forget while making lifelong friends with visitors from many of the competing 32 nations.

If the AFL doesn't want to embrace the bid, then they should at least stop undermining it.

Attempting to leak damaging stories at times when football is bound for the back pages (such as the World Cup draw) and pressuring radio stations into downscaling their football broadcasting is despicable behaviour.

Aussie Rules will never die and football will continue to grow regardless of the AFL's attempts to stymie it.

Union realised this a long time ago, as has the NRL in more recent times.

FIFA delegates are arriving in Australia at the end of July for the official World Cup inspection and no doubt there will be another round of propaganda bullets fired from the usual suspects.

But Australia is a genuine chance of hosting the 2022 World Cup and it's time for the entire nation to embrace the bid.

[Russia2O18]

WITH the eyes of the world fixed on South Africa for the past month, it has only reiterated the power of football and particularly the World Cup.

It also confirms the absurdity of the AFL-led anti-World Cup propaganda in Australia.

you lost me here

did you write this piece yourself or copy and paste it?

[ozzie owl]

The whole nation needs to know the huge economic impact the World Cup will have on Australia.

Just think how many overseas tourists will flood here for the tournament.

[the_gun]

Aussies eye '$36 billion 2022 World Cup

Australia's hopes of hosting the 2022 World Cup, which could generate $36 billion, have received an "enormous" boost from the success of Sydney's Fan Fest event, Football Federation Australia (FFA) says.

The city was picked by FIFA, world football's governing body, as just one of six Fan Fest sites across the world to screen live coverage of World Cup 2010 from South Africa on giant screens.

As well as allowing fans to watch matches, the event was being closely monitored by FIFA as the race to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups nears its climax.

Australia has already dropped out of hosting the 2018 tournament, which is expected to be awarded to a European country.

But it is firmly in the running for the 2022 tournament, with FIFA due to make an announcement on both tournaments in December.

FFA spokesman Rod Allen said about 140,000 watched the first three games at the Sydney Fan Fest.

Event organisers say around 500,000 attended over the course of the four-week 2010 tournament, despite anti-social kick-off times and occasionally inclement weather.

"Considering that most of the matches were on well after midnight in the middle of winter it is an amazing effort for fans to leave their warm homes to enjoy the atmosphere," Mr Allen told AAP in an emailed statement.

"The success would certainly be noticed by FIFA who was closely monitoring the sites - the first time that the official FIFA Fan Sites were held outside of the host country.

"They would do our bid for the 2022 FIFA World Cup an enormous amount of good by showing FIFA and the world just how much Australians love football."

Sydney Fan Fest spokeswoman Nicole Browne said the turnout was pleasing.

"Given the time differences and other factors we probably expected about that number," she told AAP.

"Given Australia's draw, the time differences, the weather, people having to work etc, we're very happy with the numbers."

Global research firm IBISWorld said hosting the 2022 World Cup could be worth $35.6 billion to the Australian economy, based on predicted spending across the construction sector ($26 billion), retail sector ($1.9 billion) and licensed venues ($2.7 billion).

IBISWorld general manager Robert Bryant said the 2022 World Cup would, in real terms, generate four times more spending than the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

"While some of the infrastructure spending has been planned and would be brought forward should Australia's World Cup bid be successful, much of it is dependent on Football Federation Australia convincing a majority of the 24 members of FIFA's executive committee to come play in 2022," he said in a statement.

FIFA will announce the hosts of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2022 FIFA World Cup on December 2.

[Mad_Max]

The whole nation needs to know the huge economic impact the World Cup will have on Australia.

Just think how many overseas tourists will flood here for the tournament.

How many?

[Echo & The Bunnymen]

About that and a bit more.

[Mad_Max]

About that and a bit more.

I'm sure that would be the figure the consultants are basing their current revenue estimates on.

[Kosta Utd]

im sure the govt of this fine country is well aware of the economic benefits the world cup brings, hence the 40 million they put forward for the bid (correct me if im wrong with the figure, i cant remember)

[soccernuts]

your only as good as your last bribe, and who bribes who closest to the announcement.

so much foul play, i dont think fifa delegates could sleep straight at night.

its just going to come down to luck and that final bribe :?

[Russia2O18]

i think the US will win it from Qatar

Australia will be first eliminated for getting caught with its scandal

[COLOSSUS]

your only as good as your last bribe, and who bribes who closest to the announcement.

so much foul play, i dont think fifa delegates could sleep straight at night.

its just going to come down to luck and that final bribe :?

And me thinks that the Jew has plenty to bribe with

[Jim's Plumbing]

i think the US will win it from Qatar

Australia will be first eliminated for getting caught with its scandal

US have no chance its between Australia and Qatar

[Red-4-Life]

Aussie's you think would get the bid win

[Jim's Plumbing]

i dont think so Qatar are building all these new state of the art air conditioned stadiums where australia is building like 1 stadium and upgrading about 5

[Jay Walking]

Surely it has to be between Australia and the USA. There are so many issues with Qatar hosting an event the size of this.

FIFA like to try to expand the game and Oz hasn't had it before and despite been in Asia now, they can promote themselves into the Pacific for their goodwill programs that they put on.

Adelaide needs a new stadium, a brand new Mutli Purpose Stadium like Durban's. Forget about Adelaide Oval.

[COLOSSUS]

Forget about Adelaide Oval.

Dont worry Jay, i think the SANFL will also forget about the AO If we get the WC, be sure we will get a new stadium because i dont see the SANFL and the SACA overcoming their differences. Have you seen the bitching over who said what with Foley, Whicker and the SMA that was setup by Rannbo and co??? Its been one big mess as i knew it would be. Dont worry, a new stadium will be built, im sure of it

[Jay Walking]

Forget about Adelaide Oval.

Dont worry Jay, i think the SANFL will also forget about the AO If we get the WC, be sure we will get a new stadium because i dont see the SANFL and the SACA overcoming their differences. Have you seen the bitching over who said what with Foley, Whicker and the SMA that was setup by Rannbo and co??? Its been one big mess as i knew it would be. Dont worry, a new stadium will be built, im sure of it

What's interesting is the the AFL seem to be keenest on getting Adelaide Oval up and running.

Again, for mind the best idea is a Multi Purpose stadium. Do the current upgrades at Adelaide Oval and leave it at that. Have AFL and crickets played at both grounds, ie test matches at Adelaide Oval, T20 at the new stadium. The Crows can play all their games at the new oval and when Port play a team that wouldn't attract a crowd, ie Freo, Brisbane, Melbourne etc, play those games at Adelaide Oval as that will have some extra appeal to the neutrals.

Football (soccer) can then use the new stadium for internationals, Asian Champions League Finals, A League Finals and when AU play Melbourne Victory. Plus a World Cup.

This favours all sports and can help all codes to create extra revenue.