FIFA Corruption Scandal - 6 Arrested for Extradition to USA
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^^^^I don't think any of us advocating the US as the substitute for Qatar in 2022 are saying "the US would be better than the UK or Europe" as a World Cup venue (even though the 1994 is apparently still the most attended World Cup in history!).
What we are saying is that it would be a great decision to have the US as the backup and the country is more than ready for it + the soccer (er, football) passion here is much stronger now that it was even 20-30 years ago. Would be a huge event and the US is particularly adept at hosting large sporting events - probably more than any other country on the planet, historical stadiums and overall passion aside.
And as MidWest and some others pointed out, the Mexico games would basically be home games and I would strongly disagree that the atmosphere there would not be as good as Europe. It could (would?) be even more intimidating than most places in Europe I'd say, including Turkey. The US home games will be nuts too - even though we are not a great side Americans jump on the US national team bandwagon like you would not believe. We sold out women's World Cup games. It will be a crazy atmosphere!
Remember, the US has so many more modern stadiums than Europe and most other places it's not even funny. There are football-specific stadiums where MLS teams play in (usually smaller, like 30,000 - 40,000 seats). Then there are tons of 90,000 - 100,000 seat stadiums across the country that would likely but full for the matches. Some are for college sports, others for the professional teams. These aren't old crappy Maracana-type stadiums either but newer or refurbished ones that get lost of use. And re American football stadiums, well, they are well-suited for international football usually (although many now have artificial turf, would have to deal with that).
As has been stated, it's not a "US or Europe" decision anyway....it's not Europe's turn, so from what I understand they cannot host it in lieu of Qatar, therefore the US is supposedly the de facto replacement for Qatar.
What we are saying is that it would be a great decision to have the US as the backup and the country is more than ready for it + the soccer (er, football) passion here is much stronger now that it was even 20-30 years ago. Would be a huge event and the US is particularly adept at hosting large sporting events - probably more than any other country on the planet, historical stadiums and overall passion aside.
And as MidWest and some others pointed out, the Mexico games would basically be home games and I would strongly disagree that the atmosphere there would not be as good as Europe. It could (would?) be even more intimidating than most places in Europe I'd say, including Turkey. The US home games will be nuts too - even though we are not a great side Americans jump on the US national team bandwagon like you would not believe. We sold out women's World Cup games. It will be a crazy atmosphere!
Remember, the US has so many more modern stadiums than Europe and most other places it's not even funny. There are football-specific stadiums where MLS teams play in (usually smaller, like 30,000 - 40,000 seats). Then there are tons of 90,000 - 100,000 seat stadiums across the country that would likely but full for the matches. Some are for college sports, others for the professional teams. These aren't old crappy Maracana-type stadiums either but newer or refurbished ones that get lost of use. And re American football stadiums, well, they are well-suited for international football usually (although many now have artificial turf, would have to deal with that).
As has been stated, it's not a "US or Europe" decision anyway....it's not Europe's turn, so from what I understand they cannot host it in lieu of Qatar, therefore the US is supposedly the de facto replacement for Qatar.
Foolsgo1d
Peacock
Cattle Rustler said:
Spoken by someone who has never thought for one moment the UK is that much safer and better than the USA when it comes to football tournaments or in general.
So you're saying the USA isn't the most violent developed country on Earth? I've seen enough examples outside of the MSM to know different. That country is literally embedded with media but somehow it isn't an actual representation because of choice media outlet stories?
When people go to Brazil and Africa they expect some form of violence unless they're completely ignorant. The US has some weird social harmony going on that is alien to European countries.
This business is full of greased palms. Considering the US is cracking down on such a business right now I would think FIFA would think twice before going to the USA with their baby.
And FIFA hate the English FA so it is that first and foremost.
You can't overstate how much the British/Europeans love Football. It is the central focus of people's lives. A Football Club (notice it isn't a 'franchise') is a family alliance that goes back generations, mostly by location but can also be due to political or religious reasons. You're born in to a club and it becomes part of you, like having brown hair or blue eyes. So much so that fathers will stop their offspring from dating or socialising with supporters of a rival club. People have fought and died defending the honour of their club. American sports fans can never rival that passion. It really is our raison d'être.
Despite this I'd like to see the 2022 tournament given to the USA as a reward for doing something useful with their global policeman status. For a long time FIFA have been too big to touch, and the power of the 'Pax Americana' has done the beautiful game a great justice.
Despite this I'd like to see the 2022 tournament given to the USA as a reward for doing something useful with their global policeman status. For a long time FIFA have been too big to touch, and the power of the 'Pax Americana' has done the beautiful game a great justice.
turkishcandy
Kingfisher
JamesW95 said:
Relevant 02:45
JamesW95 said:
hah - you fell for my bait
And no - nobody said what you just stated.
First, I (we) never mentioned Turkey specifically but spoke of Europe in general. Second, yes I did specify that certain Mexican games would essentially be "home games" and thus about as intense as most of the European leagues. Maybe moreso than many countries in Europe, but maybe not England, Spain, Italy etc. Turkey? I dunno - do the Turks throw bags of urine and batteries at the opposing players & fans like they do in Mexico when they play the US sometimes? But I never specifically mentioned Turkey.
Anyway, I'd say the Mexican fans are about as die-hard as anywhere else in the world I've seen. So to clarify - are you saying that the Mexican fans are not as intense as European national team fans in general? That Mexicans in particular don't live and breathe football like many Europeans? Well, I think they do, and thus some of the games featuring Mexico will almost be like home games if the WC was played in the US, so yeah it would be very intense. Almost as intense as a home game hosted in Mexico - but not quite I'd say.
Nowhere did I imply that the US team would get the same support or have the same atmosphere, but it would still be good.
If you guys think Europe generally has this special sort of "super intense fan game" that's somehow better than Mexico or many other places in the world I think you're over-inflating the intensity of your fandom vis-a-vis many other countries. But I guess it of course depends on the country.
*Do the Turks throw bags of urine and batteries at the opposing players & fans like they do in Mexico?*
Try coins, bricks, bottles, and flares. In 2000 when Figo returned to the Nou Camp someone threw a pig's head at him. A couple of years ago someone threw a live chicken on the pitch in a Premier League game. I can also remember in the 90's when Juventus fans threw a moped on to the pitch from one of the upper tiers. I imagine a Besiktas - Fenerbahche game would see all sorts of shit ending up on the pitch.
Thankfully it's almost non-existent in the modern English game, due to the clamp down on Hooliganism after the Heysel and Hillsborough tragedies. Most of the big European clubs have started to put nets around the pitch to stop the problem.
Try coins, bricks, bottles, and flares. In 2000 when Figo returned to the Nou Camp someone threw a pig's head at him. A couple of years ago someone threw a live chicken on the pitch in a Premier League game. I can also remember in the 90's when Juventus fans threw a moped on to the pitch from one of the upper tiers. I imagine a Besiktas - Fenerbahche game would see all sorts of shit ending up on the pitch.
Thankfully it's almost non-existent in the modern English game, due to the clamp down on Hooliganism after the Heysel and Hillsborough tragedies. Most of the big European clubs have started to put nets around the pitch to stop the problem.
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Dark Knowledge
Robin
USA 94' still remains the most attended world cup in history. Regardless of the facilities in England, USA has MEGA stadiums that are just as good as anywhere in the world.
As for the atmosphere, some of you forget that there is a huge immigrant population in the USA. Just look at anytime a Brazil or Argentina play a game on US soil. Remember this isn't club football. Some of you posted examples of tifo not even seen in international play.
As for the atmosphere, some of you forget that there is a huge immigrant population in the USA. Just look at anytime a Brazil or Argentina play a game on US soil. Remember this isn't club football. Some of you posted examples of tifo not even seen in international play.
Saying the US fan base doesn't compare to the UK's is inaccurate. The US's 2014 WC matches (which were televised mid-day & mid-week here) received higher views than the Yankee - Red Socks world series (televised at prime time). The sport has grown tremendously in the US in the past decade and will continue to do so through 2022 and beyond. I credit Phil Nike for much of the growth as Nike has been the sole pioneering force in materials for boots and balls which have upped the speed, scores, and overall skills seen in the game today since the early 2000's.
Second, there would undoubtedly be rioting and looting in the UK if the WC was hosted there because...
Surprise..!
Your team CHOKES in World Cups
Second, there would undoubtedly be rioting and looting in the UK if the WC was hosted there because...
Surprise..!
Your team CHOKES in World Cups
turkishcandy said:
That video sends tingles down my spine...definitely on my list of games I have to watch in the flesh!
It's just laughable comparing US sports to the atmospheres of football in Europe.
I've been to big sports events in the states.
Typical American attitude to everything: our stadiums and population is bigger therefore we win.
Yeeehaaa.
aSimpNamedBrokeback
Kingfisher
CrashBangWallop said:
along with better infrastructure, accommodations. Every NFL city in the US could host a WC game without doing any prep work other than changing the field. Even collage cities like Columbus and Ann Arbor could host a game with no problems.
aSimpNamedBrokeback said:
We also tend to have much nicer and affordable hotel rooms and more of them - and that doesn't include AirBnB. For ready to go infrastructure for big events, we just have more of it. America has many flaws, but when it comes to big events and busting crooks who get sloppy hiding their money, we're really good.
Forget the entire US, Texas could probably host the thing with little difficulty - with much of it in covered stadiums
VolandoVengoVolandoVoy said:
The US has cooperated in the past with Italy for tackling the Mafia in both countires. I'm also wondering if FIFA did something as well to get the Swiss authorities really angry with them. They don't seem very reluctant to help the US in this case.
Akula said:JamesW95 said:
hah - you fell for my bait
And no - nobody said what you just stated.
First, I (we) never mentioned Turkey specifically but spoke of Europe in general. Second, yes I did specify that certain Mexican games would essentially be "home games" and thus about as intense as most of the European leagues. Maybe moreso than many countries in Europe, but maybe not England, Spain, Italy etc. Turkey? I dunno - do the Turks throw bags of urine and batteries at the opposing players & fans like they do in Mexico when they play the US sometimes? But I never specifically mentioned Turkey.
Anyway, I'd say the Mexican fans are about as die-hard as anywhere else in the world I've seen. So to clarify - are you saying that the Mexican fans are not as intense as European national team fans in general? That Mexicans in particular don't live and breathe football like many Europeans? Well, I think they do, and thus some of the games featuring Mexico will almost be like home games if the WC was played in the US, so yeah it would be very intense. Almost as intense as a home game hosted in Mexico - but not quite I'd say.
Nowhere did I imply that the US team would get the same support or have the same atmosphere, but it would still be good.
If you guys think Europe generally has this special sort of "super intense fan game" that's somehow better than Mexico or many other places in the world I think you're over-inflating the intensity of your fandom vis-a-vis many other countries. But I guess it of course depends on the country.
To add to this, cool fact,
Guess who bought the most tickets after Brazilians for the 2014 world cup? That's right, the U.S. with around 155,000 tickets bought, and it is estimated that over 50% of those tickets came from Mexican Americans who made the trip down to Brazil to root for Mexico.
Full Source
Also
Full Source
This was so fascinating, that many Brazilians were shocked at how many Mexicans were speaking English with each other at the World Cup
Full Source
A lot of people are underestimating the passion of Mexicans-and Mexican Americans for soccer in the U.S. Can you imagine having the U.S. host the world cup and rich Mexicans from Mexico making the easy trip to cities all over the southwest? It would be unbelievable.
I understand that the English love their football, but so do we.
I wouldn't underestimate the Mexico vs. USA rivalry either. Its not only a rivalry of teams, but it extends beyond that and it becomes socially and politically as well. And describes an issue of identity for many Mexican Americans. Whenever these two teams face-off, best believe it gets packed and the atmosphere and passion is off the charts.
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