The FIFA vote was today and the joint US-Mexico-Canada bid beat out Morocco 66% to 33%. So yay we are going to have the World Cup come back stateside for the first time since 1994. Even better, as being the host nation (even though it is a joint bid, it is primarily US based) we don't have to worry about those pesky 2026 qualifying rounds, so take that Trinidad and Tobago.
Now that the bid is secured, it'll be interesting to see which venues are picked as the final hosts. Anyone else planning on trying to make a game or 2 while it's here?
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I was thinking, hey, I bet my son would really like to go to one of those games...then I realized he'll be in college by the time this rolls around. Still worth going to, but a completely different dynamic.
My daughter will be 8, so it might be perfect for her. Or a completely bad idea. Either way, it's be an experience.
Worth noting that all 3 host nations will qualify. But at the same time, the tournament seems to be shifting to a 48 team format. CONCACAF will have 3 other direct qualifiers and I think 2 playoff spots.
This is actually not official yet. FIFA will be voting on whether to keep AQ's because of the expansion to 48.
48?? Eww
16 groups of 3 with only group winners advancing, adding 18 matches to the schedule.
From what I have seen the top two teams in each group will advance. So there will be 32 teams in the knock-out portion of the World Cup.
16 groups of three teams each, and two of those three teams advance?????????????????????????
That's kinda gross honestly, it'd be so easy to get shafted by the draw and it puts so much emphasis on a single match
Kinda like the current playoff format for College Football...?
Oh yeah I definitely think the group stage in the CFP is totally inadequate
I'm so excited for this, living in Savannah I really hope Atlanta gets a game in that new stadium, I'm pretty confident they will
I'm kinda bummed that Charlotte isn't on the shortlist. But I can make the trek to Nashville/Cinci/DC almost as easily I suppose.
Atlanta/MB Stadium is on the list of potential sites.
#Sauces
I will 100% go to at least one game. Smart money is on MetLife Stadium in greater NYC area to host the final. NY, DC, Philly, Boston, Baltimore would all be doable for me.
Same - I'll find a game to go to. I'm already excited!
So basically Mid-Atlantic to NorEast. Isn't MetLife technically in Jersey? Also,
Heck, might as well do Tidewater & the Richmond Met Area while you're at it.
M&T Bank Stadium is more appropriate to hold a game than any stadium at either of those areas.
Agreed & that was kinda my point (moreless) w/ regards to Baltimore.
I said "greater NYC area" for a reason. Just so you're clear on where the stadiums actually are:
For the record, Levi's Stadium is hella far from SF. About the same distance from SF as it is from Oakland, and about 4x as far from both as the distance between the two cities themselves.
Calling them the San Francisco 49ers is a joke. San Jose would be more appropriate.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2018/06/13/the-202...
RFK stadium will be bak before da U
Just in: FIFA new rule Eliminates host nation automatically qualifying.
Ahh... But even with that said, an expansion to 48 should all but make qualification a certainty for the US and Mexico with the way CONCACAF sets it up. If anything I'd like to see Canada get gifted an entry so each nation can host their own games through the group stage.
But...but...
Just screwing. That would be pretty cool.
Exactly, CONCACAF get 6 spots out of the 48 so the US and Mexico should always qualify starting in 2026. If we can't finish in the top 6 in CONCACAF then US soccer should be banned from ever playing again.
Sorta like LOLUVA should be banned from div 1 football activities??
I'll try to go to at least one game. Hoping for a game here in Atlanta.
no sunglasses in the rain eh?
No USMNT gif montage is complete without the Dempsey bitch face
via GIPHY
I'm thinking Whit can get a game or two in Lane.
Enter Sandman + Turkey Legs + Paper Airplanes + World Cup Soccer? Yes, please.
I think you've used one of HokieFireman's trigger words/phrases
Should've replaced Michigan with the World Cup
On paper that could be the best US team we've ever had. Pulisic, Weah, and Sargent all in their prime. We'll see what starts coming up in the next few years but that's a lethal trio. Somehow I feel like 45 year old Michael Beasley will still be our right back.
I think you mean Damarcus Beasley
Shit.
Beasley doesn't age. He is eternal. All praise be onto him.
USMNT wins the World Cup on home soil. USA sweeps the awards: Pulisic with the Golden Ball, Sargent with the Golden Boot, and Steffen with the Golden Glove.
In the distance a familiar figure stands alone, briefly reflecting in the moment after the final whistle. A weary DaMarcus Beasley clutches the captain's armband on his arm with tears in his eyes, having led his side to the nation's first World Cup.
This is the best timeline.
You forgot about manager Clint Dempsey and assistant Tim Howard embracing as the final whistle blows.
gosh i sure hope not. i know eight years is a long time but still
They Should host the finals in Los Angeles...I don't know how many games they can actually host in Canada. The stadiums are fairly smaller..Montreal's olympic stadium is king of older but there are a few other places:
http://www.worldstadiums.com/north_america/countries/canada.shtml
In terms of Mexico City, Azteca will definitely be a place to host.
As for the US Roster, a lot of the 18 year olds from the last U17/U-20 world cup will be around 26-28 playing in their prime..should be a solid team by then.
Three locations in Canada, three locations in Mexico
I'm surprised by the Chicago snub, and the inclusion of Baltimore. I thought Chicago makes as much sense as any NYC or LA venue.
According to the Wikipedia page, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Vancouver all voluntarily withdrew.
M&T has tons of parking (thanks to neighboring Camden Yards and Horseshoe Casino), and has hosted multiple exhibition soccer games with good reception. In addition, its right on the amtrak line and 20 minutes from a major airport and a few charter airports. While its not the most glamorous city, I think its a logical choice.
Not only that but they pretty much screwed the midwest in general. KC is the only one on there.
I'm also bitter because I moved to Chicago hoping I'd see either an Olympics or world cup without having to travel.
A lot of stadiums could be built in 8 years
Counterpoint
We should host the WC Final in Vegas... because Vegas.
It will be on the east coast most likely to cater to European Time Zones.
The 1994 Final was in the Rose Bowl...plus the 2002 tournament was in Asia so this is not necessarily set in stone. In fact, as an act of mercy it should be either in LA or Mexico City to escape the broiling temperatures likely on the east coast.
I wonder if Jerry World will be an option. The last women's wc had all the turf controversy if I remember correctly.
Edit: I read, never mind.
Oh no way they're gonna play this on turf. It is being considered as a venue but I have to imagine a grass solution would be involved.
I missed the 2006 World Cup because I was on a forced desert vacation away from Germany at the time. Come hell or high water, I will go to one of these games.
Is that Radagast the Brown?
Why yes. Yes it is (aka "Gabby" The Prospector from Blazing Saddles).
No clue where I'll be living in 8 years, but I'll make sure to go to one or two matches. Exciting news!
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2018/06/13/the-202...
This is some good info on what is known so far about the 2026. It is still up in the air on if the 3 hosts will automatically qualify but it breaks down the numbers by confederation and how the 48 team setup will work out.