There Will Be No World Cup 2022 in Kansas City

FIFA today announced the hosts for World Cup 2018 and 2022. Russia was awarded the 2018 games in a bit of an upset. England was seen as the favorite in the race that also included joint bids from Spain/Portugal and Belgium/Netherlands. The 2022 World Cup will be held in Qatar. Qatar beat out the United States, Australia, Japan and South Korea.

England's chances were hurt by a recent investigation by the BBC into possible corruption within FIFA regarding the bidding process (bribes). Russia also was considered the favorite venue of FIFA President Sepp Blatter who favors new locations to add to his legacy. FIFA, like many international organizations (think UN), don't always use a great amount of logic in their decision making processes, lots of politics and favor trading.

Qatar's award of the 2022 World Cup makes little sense. It is a tiny country and currently has only one stadium anywhere near the quality of a World Cup venue. Their Soccer team is not good (they would gain an automatic bid the Cup for being the host country), temperatures average way over 100 degrees in the summer, not to mention the terrorism is real threat in a Middle East country holding a high profile event. Alcohol is illegal, though they say they will have designated areas during the event where it will be sold, and their society will have to relax other rules that pertain to public displays of affection, men and women socializing together, etc.

The US will likely bid for the 2026 World Cup. Hopefully, Kansas City will be in those plans, too.

World Cup Crowds in Kansas City Shows Soccer has Grown - But How Much?

Since the United State’s run to the Quarterfinals in 2002 to the arrival of David Beckham to the LA Galaxy, soccer pundits have waited for the sport to take off in America. Saturday’s game-watching crowds in downtown Kansas City showed an increased interest in the sport, however only time will tell if that support for soccer is here to stay.

After the United States hosted the World Cup in 1994, FIFA mandated the creation of an American soccer league. The MLS, now over a decade old, has been one example of the sport slowly growing in America. With many teams moving from NFL stadiums to their own complexes (such as the Wizards), progress is being made to establish the sport on a national level.

Despite the growth in the MLS league and the international star power of players such as Landon Donovan and Tim Howard, there are many hurdles the sport must overcome to enjoy the following the NFL or MLB has. Unlike European, South American and African nations, the US already has established leagues in several other sports that are extremely popular. The MLS is also a clear step below European leagues such as the English Premiership, which could turn off some casual fans with the stigma of a second-rate league.

The massive crowds in Kansas City’s Power and Light District and other venues show that Americans are willing to take a national interest in their teams, from the world cup to the Olympics. While soccer has and continues to grow, there are many limitations and hurdles the sport must face to escalate to the level of an NFL or MLB.

THE WORLD CUP IN KANSAS CITY!

Arrowhead Stadium could be the site for four games in the United States if wins its bid to host the world's biggest soccer even in 2018. Kansas City is now one of the 27 host city finalists.

Nine individual nations registered their intention to bid with FIFA by the February 2009 deadline: Australia, England, Indonesia, Japan, Qutar, Mexico, Russia, South korea, and the United States.

In October 2007, FIFA ended the continental rotation policy. Instead the last two tournament host confederations are ineligible, leaving Africa ineligible for 2018 and South America ineligible for both 2018 and 2022. Other factors in the selection process include the number of suitable stadia, and their location across candidate nations. Due to the number of bids received by FIFA, this World Cup is expected to be the most hotly contested bid ever, mainly due to the revision in FIFA's rotation policy.

The bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 began in January 2009. These will be the 21st and 22nd editions of theFIFA World Cup. The executive committee of FIFA will announce their decision on the two editions in December 2010.