RACE FOR THE WORLD CUP

This blog entry by Matt Preston.

The story: "FA confirm England will bid for 2018"

The analysis:

England’s governing soccer body, the Football Association (FA), has announced their intentions to host the 2018 World Cup, but it is only 2007! The article states that soccer’s world governing body, Federation International Football Association (FIFA), will decide on the hosts in 2011, but bids will have to be officially submitted at least two years beforehand.  The competition to host this sporting event grows every time the tournament is to be hosted.  Alongside England, countries like the United States, Mexico, Russia, and Australia will all be competing for the right to host the 2018 tournament. The growing competition is due to enormous potential for hosting nations to make some money. Television rights, merchandise, official sponsorships, gate ticket receipts, and traveling soccer aficionados provide an enormous return for hosting the month long tournament. With the potential to make so much profit from this tournament, it makes one wonder if the World Cup is still about soccer?

Interested countries must invest millions and even billions to even be considered to host the world’s finest sporting event. The campaign alone for England to host the 2018 tournament will cost ?15 million (about $30 million)! England is fortunate to possess a superior infrastructure as well as excellent stadiums to host the event, but other countries are not as privileged. South Africa will host the tournament in 2010, but it lacks the same infrastructure and stadiums as England. To be selected as host, this African nation invested substantial funds to development their hosting cities in time for the tournament. This investment put hosting a sporting event before more important matters in South Africa (i.e. HIV/AIDS pandemic and post apartheid struggles). South African leaders believe that hosting this event will develop their country both economically and socially. With this kind of economic force, the World Cup has evolved into a mechanism that transmits powerful messages.  

The World Cup is produced and consumed by the masses. Capitalism and nationalism are weaved into the foundation of this tournament. The World Cup, like the Olympics, is a stage to flex national superiority. Nations are praised for hosting successful tournaments and glamorized for winning the prestigious sporting event. Germany witnessed this praise for their successful job of hosting the 2006 event and Brazil is worshiped for their success as the winner of 5 World Cups. With their bid, England is looking for the same praise and worship. As the inventors of the modern game, England has only one World Cup title (as they played host and victors of the 1966 tournament). England looks to host the most successful tournament in the history of the World Cup. In the eyes of the English, this means not only hosting a successful tournament, but also winning it. 

Sport has developed into a powerful tool for development. The World Cup will be hosted in two developing nations in 2010 (South Africa) and 2014 (Brazil). These events possess the potential to develop these nations both economically and socially. Whoever the host may be, hopefully, the 2018 event will not be a completely profit driven corporate investment; yet, instead a celebration of sport and its ability to accomplish great things.