Matthew Hall
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A Bid Too Far?
Frank Lowy dares to dream but Australia hosting the 2018 World Cup may be just one power nap too many.
Let's add up Lowy's achievement ledger in the short time he's been headlining the reconstruction of Australian football.
(Yes, 2003 seems a lifetime ago).
Demolition of the National Soccer League. Tick.
Hiring one of the country's top administrators to run the sport (that was John O'Neill for those with short memories). Tick.
Establishment of a new, all-inclusive, family friendly, huggable national competition. Tick.
Creating a Kossie-powered A-League club in Sydney at a time when investment and commercial support was in short supply. Tick.
Relocating Australia from Oceania into Asia. Big TICK.
Firing Frank Farina and hiring an international super coach to guide the Socceroos to World Cup qualification. HUGE TICK.
Telling Mark Schwarzer which way to dive when facing the penalty shoot-out against Uruguay.
OK, I made that up but you get the idea.
Confirmation this week that the rotation system for hosting the World Cup (and let's face it, the only real World Cup) has ended and it's now open slather for bids has handed Lowy a challenge that he just can't resist.
But Australia for 2018?
Sorry to get Fabio Grosso on this party but it's not going to happen.
Here's an idea why: England's global TV broadcast deal for its national teams (and the FA Cup) from next year to 2012 nets the Poms over $1.2 billion.
Count that number out one digit at a time and send me an email when you finish in 2018.
Put simply, while Football Federation Australia is having to ask kids to pay $10 a year registration fees in order for our top level national teams to function, England's FA is loaded.
That's one reason why Lowy said last week that without financial assistance from the Federal Government, any Australian 2018 bid is doomed.
Our bidding rivals are all heavyweights, each with their own credible and reasonable claim to host the same tournament.
The weakest is a supposed combined bid from Belgium, Luxembourg, and Holland, which will no doubt be the first to be derailed. Sepp Blatter said never again after Japan and South Korea's joint effort in 2002.
A Benelux bid would also see Luxembourg qualify but might also provide a platform for the eventual abolition of Belgium, which some people think is a good idea.
(Dear TinTin, I'm kidding).
England is sentimentally, geographically, and financially strong and assisted by excellent facilities both current and proposed.
Mexico and the United States are former hosts worth revisiting while Russia and China are huge - huuuuuuuge - growing markets for football. Especially financially.
And then there's little old 'Straya.
A massive island in a poor time zone for Europe and American TV sets represented by a team that can't guarantee it will get itself out of the first round group games (remember the Olyroos embarrassing Sydney 2000 'campaign'? No? Lucky you.).
So, in the aftermath of 2006, the relative success of the A-League, and the incredible growth and potential of football in Australia, it's easy to feel that all we have to do for 2018 is open the door.
But here's the reality check. Bidding for a World Cup is difficult and a tougher task than hosting the Olympics.
As an example, perhaps ironic for constitutional republicans, England is likely to employ Prince William as an ambassador for its own cause.
This means that Australia's apparent future king will be actively arguing against Australia hosting 2018.
(We'll leave Prime Minister Howard to explain that one next time he's seen wearing a Socceroos tracksuit).
But as Lowy - and Australian and Socceroo spirit - will argue, none of this makes 2018 an impossible dream.
It's just that for this game, Australia will need Hiddink-like genius, Aloisi-like focus, and all the Kewellesque cunning and guile we can muster to be taken seriously.
Plus we'll need a referee - in this case FIFA - to be fair and evenhanded.
And as Lucas Neill will tell us all, when you're playing the big boys on the world stage, the biggest dreams are made to be broken.
COMMENTS
It will take a miracle for Australia to host the 2018 World Cup but then again Lowy is a miracle worker.
Who would dream of Australia joining the AFC? Who dare dream that a coach like Gus Hiddink would even coach a footballing minow like Australia?
Everyone knows how political FIFA is but if anyone can match it with the best in the world, it would be Lowy.
We host the FIFA congress next month and the world will be watching as the Beckham circus comes to town. Coincidence?...........I think not. This is just he begining,
In Lowy we trust!
- by Brad on November 03, 2007 at 06:57 PM
reinventing Sydney City tick
bringing back Andrew Kemeny from the dead tick
Getting rid of LaPaglia tick
Getting rid of Ethnic clubs....nearly
Getting the World Cup....I'd like to see that.....
David Schwarz talking soccer...bahahaha
- by Evan Binos on November 03, 2007 at 11:03 PM
Everyone thought it was impossible for us to host the Olympics but we did it.
Let me remind everyone that England got knocked out in the first round in their last bid.
With Government support and Frank Lowy heading the bid, we are one of the front runners.
- by Damian on November 03, 2007 at 11:49 PM
Matthew, you're asking Australians to give up a dream before we've started dreaming it. And that's not likely to happen any time soon. Last time I checked, the Olympics in 2000 were "the best Olympics ever," according to someone who'd know. We know how to put on a large-scale sporting event. I am sure that the volunteers who helped the Games run as smoothly as they did still have their beige, ill-fitting slacks and polo shirts in the back of the cupboard. Why not ask them to give something to Australia one more time to help keep costs in check? You say money's an issue. Perhaps the Socceroos should take a leaf out of the Matildas book and pose nude to help defray the costs of hosting a World Cup. You can't tell me that some tasteful, full-frontal snaps of Lucas Neill (perhaps reclining on a bed of lovable viszlas?) wouldn't add, say, $1.3 billion to the bottom line. Prudes who wanted to help could purchase some lamingtons instead, if they wished. Mate, I'm not saying it's going to be easy. But, in the words of our 1984 Olympic mascot Willy, where there's a will, there's a way.
- by Sam in Tamworth on November 04, 2007 at 12:25 AM
Matthew, you say that money's an issue. Why can't the Socceroos take a leaf out of the Matildas book and pose nude for cash? You can't tell me that that some tasteful (yet very revealing) snaps of Lucas Neill reclining on a bed of lovable viszlas wouldn't add, say, $1.2 billion to the bottom line. Prudish types could purchase lamingtons instead if they preferred. Mate, don't ask me not to dream a dream I haven't started dreaming yet.
- by Sam in Tamworth on November 04, 2007 at 12:29 AM
While i agree that a 2018 bid seems a little far fetched, i believe we have the opportunity to host the 2022/2026 world cup. Not only will this eliminate the England/Europe factor, it will also give Australia ample time to cultivate the high quality players to perform well (or dare i say, win?). Look at the French, it was a 20 year process to win the '98 world cup at home.
- by Alex on November 04, 2007 at 12:56 AM
Those who don't dream never achieve!
- by kywong73 on November 04, 2007 at 08:23 AM
Better to try and fail than never try. If we are to be upfront on the world stage, a leading nation in Asia and push the most played game in Australia further....we need to have our name on the bid list for the next 20 years.
- by manners on November 04, 2007 at 09:19 AM
You also overlook one major aspect, Matthew, and it's one the FFA never talk about.
Exactly where would the World Cup matches be played?
FIFA want stadia of at least 40-thousand capacity for WC matches which means they'd need to be played at the MCG, Suncorp, Subiaco or Football Park in SA to name a few.
The World Cup is played in June or July.
Can you really see the AFL or the NRL stepping aside in the middle of their seasons and allowing football access to their stadia for at least a month, and possibly longer, to install advertising hoardings, media facilities etc? I can't.
It's a pie in the sky bid.
The cost of building "football only" stadia in major cities, given Germany had 12 venues, would be in the billions and prohibitive.
The FFA should come clean and admit it has no chance.
Instead, it should save its money and get its fiscal house in order rather than increasing the levies on junior clubs.
Children bailing out the national game because it's broke. What a disgrace!
- by PK on November 04, 2007 at 10:59 AM
To me it seems ludicrous to waste money on a bid for some very simple reasons.
Football is run by TV money and matches scheduled to capture the greatest number of viewers and therefore advertising/sponsorship dollars (or more importantly euros and sterling). Time zones mean games played in Australia will not maximise viewers in Europe and the americas. OK, we have SE Asia in our time region, but what if those countries don't qualify? (2002 worked because of Japan/korea's automatic qualification as hosts and thus clearing the way for china's qualification)
Unfortunately, as much as I would love to see the world cup here it would be potential commercial suicide for FIFA and I really can't see a way of convincing them to take the gamble.
But them again Frank's a smart bloke and much richer than me so maybe he knows something I don't...
- by Peter Howard on November 04, 2007 at 11:05 AM
There is one major problem Australia has to overcome if it decides to bid for the World Cup...its stadiums!
Where are the 40,000 plus stadiums? Who will fund the building of 8 to 10 new football stadiums? And no, don't even mention the MCG...its a cricket ground not a football ground!
Anyone got a spare $4B? or has Kevin07 and John Howard just wasted our future?
Go for the Asian cup first.
- by Gordon Whitehead on November 04, 2007 at 12:20 PM
The Football Wordl Cup is the biggest event in the world. It would be a real boom Australia in terms of tourism. Unlike the Olympics which is hosted by a single city, the World Cup would be spread around the country.
Therefore all the state governments along with the Federal Government have to get together and support the bid.
- by Ben on November 04, 2007 at 01:07 PM
Even though you're absolutely correct about the realistic chances of bidding, but hey lets start bidding until we make it! No harm to attempt at such a good investment.
Its true that money is an issue like every other things in life. However my view is that "if money is the only problem, then there isn't any problem, JUST DO IT!".
As for passing first round is concern. I had no doubt the socceroos will past first round regardless of our opposition, I can put my mortgage on that.
However whether the socceroos will win the world cup at home is another thing! Another certainties is that it will certainly raise the level of the interest of football in here!!
- by gerson on November 04, 2007 at 02:46 PM
Television income for FIFA will be:
England: 2 Billion
Australia: 500 Million
Australia to host the World Cup in 2018: Yeah, right.
- by John Stewart on November 04, 2007 at 04:49 PM
Ok where are the soccer stadiums that will hold 40,000 plus in Australia why do the best players here get straight on a plane to the UK if they get an offer.
The game here is second rate and getting to just 2 World Cup Finals in 80 years and wining one game against Japan is poor to say the lest .
If Lowy wants the World here he has to prove that Australia has something better than the A league and can at lest win the Asian Cup not get stuffed by poor sides.
The Olympics is second to the Football World Cup and the next Olympics will be in London so forget it its gone and past.
- by gary richardson on November 04, 2007 at 06:53 PM
In mid 2005 there was talk about Lowry wanting to open Disneyland Australia at Avalon. I haven't heard anything since. I take this new announcement with a grain of salt!
- by Tony on November 04, 2007 at 07:02 PM
There is nothing wrong with having big ambitions. If South Africa (& Brazil in 2014) can do it, why can't we? Our organisation, infrastructure, government etc are far further ahead then them. We also have a better football team (RSA is currently ranked 17th in Africa according to FIFA). In RSA, they recently announced that generators will be installed at all stadiums in order to get around the problem of power shortages.
When it comes to the standard of our stadiums; as I said in the past... that's just a matter of bulldozers, cranes and cement trucks.
I also agree we can go it alone without NZ, though admit it would be nice to involve them. Population centres such as Gosford, Canberra, Townsville, Geelong, Adelaide and Perth can all benefit by having their own world class stadia. These can be built to enable reconfiguration to suit other sports and as well, can be built in a way that would enable downsizing following the tournament (vsv Stadium Australia following the Olympics).
Personally though, I don't think we will get 2018. Even if it were to go to Asia, China would likely be first in line. However, what I am more interested in what the bid can actually do for Australian football. It would provide focus for the public, government, corporates and media towards football for the best part of the next 10 years. The federal and state governments would increase its priority towards football as part of its committment towards sports. All this could translate to better footballing facilities, coaching/development and perhaps similar to the AIS/Commbank cricket academy, the establishment of an institute specifically dedlicated to football.
Whether it's 2018 or beyond (or ever)... the journey would be well worth it.
- by Paul on November 04, 2007 at 08:58 PM
Well there are more important things than money. South Africa will be hosting in 2010 and remember they came second to Germany before the rotation policy by a whisker. If australia want it they have what it takes to get it
- by mandla69 on November 04, 2007 at 09:17 PM
Without dreaming the impossible dream we wouldn't have made it to the knock out stage of the world cup. We wouldn't have a successful and growing national comp and we wouldn't part of Asia which finally gives us a fair and reasonable shake at world cup qualification.
Keep on dreaming Frankie old boy!!
- by diggerdog on November 04, 2007 at 09:20 PM
So help me out here. Tell me how many 'first time world cup bidders' have been successful in winning the rights to the world cup first go?
Now, tell me how many 'second time bidders' have won the rights? FFA is hoping and dreaming for 2018, but 2022 may be more realistic. You have to spend money to make money, same situation here. I think we need to apply first, and then second time we may have a better chance, I think the same happened in South Africa, although the rotational process was in place. I am sure FIFA will assess each bid on its merits...and not go with sentimentality for the 'home of football'. If you never try, will never succeed. Anyway Lowy and FFA have my support. Viel Glueck!
- by tocca11 on November 04, 2007 at 09:30 PM
2018 will not happen because it will be against European countries after two tournaments in cities which are littered with crime and poverty, FIFA will go back to Europe or at least China after almost a decade of mess. It will not happen after 2020 either because then the AFL will own telstra dome and they will not let soccer use it, thus eliminating a major stadium for Australia and the world cup bid with it; its not cost effective enough to build them in regional centers around Australia.
- by John on November 04, 2007 at 10:31 PM
If the poor country like south africa can host the fifa world cup then why Australia cant go even bid for that?
- by mathews on November 04, 2007 at 10:37 PM
Against the odds, the socceroos made it to the worldcup. Against the odds, the socceroos progressed to the 2nd round, only to be robbed by the hollywood stars in the Italian team, which im sure was definitely worthy of an oscar award. But the point that i'm trying to push here is that there will always be critics who will voice their opinions and suggest that Australians could never achieve anything. Despite proving time and time again that we are a true sporting nation who could match any sporting event the world has to offer, if not better it. Australians love a party, and if we all could get behind this bid, im sure the biggest party in the world will be right on our doorsteps in 2018.
- by Andy on November 04, 2007 at 10:43 PM
As someone once sang "It's a long way to the shop for a sausage roll". Really 2018 is a long way away, but it should be seen as the first of 3 or 4 bids. Having sated South American and African egos by approving the World Cup for Brazil and South Africa respectively, when neither can guarantee the appropriate facilities and infrastructure will be up to scratch (and we're not talking stadia, we're talking hotels, airports and security for fans and tourists alike), one has to then face the reality that world football is dominated by 5 western european teams (England, France, Germany, Italy and the allways failing Spain). The global money is with these countries and as such they expect that at least every second tournament will be there. So the poms in 2018 Then the market of the USA is too irresistable for FIFA, so you can put them down for another tournament after that or possibly mexico, then back to Europe (spain or italy in 2026, then China 2030, then Russia 2034 oh and where are we then....2038 40 years since France 98, possibly Australia. By that time I'll be 60 and will be lucky to still be able to go!!!
- by julian on November 04, 2007 at 10:57 PM
I think Australia could host a world cup but not 2018. 2022 would be better.
At the end of the day, bidding for these events is always political.
It would be dumb for Australia go head to head against England.
As cynical as we can be about it, I suspect it was probably the votes of Commonwealth countries that got London the 2012 Olympics. If we go head to head against England those votes would split mainly on England's side. And we'll just end up with the Kiwi's and Fiji!
Don't wast 35 million on a 3 legged horse! We'd get a better return with a little patience.
- by Chris on November 05, 2007 at 07:19 AM
As I see it, PK (and I've got three sons who all play), children are not "bailing out the national game because it's broke." The letter I read from Lowy/Buckley says the levy is being increased to pay for new initiatives related to the new football plan that was released last week. They're asking for $3.50 more per child which, for me, is less than $10 which, in the scheme of things, is not much and I don't mind making a contribution if it means we can get the sport heading towards where it should be; up there with other sports.
As for 2018, I agree with Mr Lowy. You've gotta have dreams. Yes it looks like an impossible one. I think the first hurdle is the Socceroos showing they deserve to host it by making the 2010 World Cup!
- by mark from Canberra on November 05, 2007 at 08:10 AM
Soccer is a disgrace.
Start thinking "crawl before you walk".
- by Steve on November 05, 2007 at 08:33 AM
To quote an Adidas advertisement, "Impossible is nothing".
I do agree that Australia would be the long odds outsiders. But also know that most of the successful people I admire in any way got to where they are from ignoring people telling them "you can't do it" but rather going "oh yeah, we'll just see about that".
Those who make a great success don't give up just because people say something can't be done. They push through and pull off those things they were told were impossible.
Sure it seems unlikely, long odds and probably not going to happen. But that doesn't mean that with an "impossible is nothing" person leading the way, that it can't happen.
- by Chris Kettlewell on November 05, 2007 at 09:03 AM
FIFA is a political group.
The logic indicates stadia and time zones are not in our favour.
Since when has logic played a part in political decisions?
Go Frank, Go!!!!
The pessimists should not be allowed to buy tickets when we get it in 2018.
- by DaddyC on November 05, 2007 at 09:22 AM
Luring John Kosmina to Sydney FC! huge cross
- by Peter on November 05, 2007 at 09:31 AM
why don't we wait until no other country is bidding. I read that Brazil was the only country bidding for the world cup that they were recently 'awarded'
That was due to the 'rotation' system. No other CONCACAF nation entered. MH
- by Paul on November 05, 2007 at 09:33 AM
I've seen all the Stadiums that were used for the last World Cup in Germany and we don't have that many. Not only do we not have that many but at least half are oval shape. We have Telstra Stadium and Aussie Stadium in Sydney, surely Parramatta Stadium is currently too small.
The MCG and Tesltra Dome in Melbourne, maybe Olympic Park will be upgraded but how many people will it hold?
Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, but the new Gold coast Stadium only holding 25K I don't think that's large enough.
Football Park in Adelaide and Subiaco in Perth. Unless the State and Federal Governments start putting large amounts of money into rectangular 30K+ capacity Stadiums soon I see Australia's main problem with hosting the Soccer World Cup being the lack of suitable stadiums.
Germany had 12 stadiums available and have to say they were excellent. On top of the ones I have mentioned we'd have to build or improve another 5 to 6 stadiums to be adequatley host the event. I'm for the World Cup coming here but big Money would need to be put in for new Stadiums and then they have to be used for after the event. Money needed.
- by Andrew Thomas on November 05, 2007 at 11:22 AM
If Frank can reinvent Hakoah [Sydney City] as Sydney FC , he can bring the World Cup down under.
- by jordan on November 05, 2007 at 12:44 PM
sorry guys, australia has zero chance. USA or mexico wont really have credible reasons to host it but from the sports side england russia and china all do, japan korea was a bad enough time zone and distance, and powerhouse economies with prob 250 million + people to drive it all. secondly the actualy hosting of it wont be possible because of the number and distance between stadiums. there were i think 32 sides last time, at maybe 2 a stadium, each having to be 40,000 plus, there arent enough stadia and they are too far apart (ever other game envolving a flight)and no government will build 10 new soccer stadiums.
- by julian on November 05, 2007 at 01:07 PM
It's lucky for us that blokes like Frank Lowy don't listen to blokes like Matthew Hall. Sure it's a long shot but Lowy has made a career out of making long shot's into reality.. good luck to him!
- by Chris on November 05, 2007 at 01:10 PM
Matthew, can England even qualify for the Euro?????
Let alone the World Cup!!
So much for their billions.......
Maybe this way England are guaranteed to qualify. MH
- by pompombasher on November 05, 2007 at 04:21 PM
Australia = Asian Time Zones
If you want to bring the game to Asia (i.e. China etc) you wouldnt do badly going via Oz...
- by pompombasher on November 05, 2007 at 04:25 PM
Jeez there's some sorry whingers here (PK, Steve)
Get a life!
It's sport you tools
As for the levy increase, its a cup of coffee!!
- by pompombasher on November 05, 2007 at 04:29 PM
Ok just how long did it take an Aussie mob to build Wembley was it 2 years late and a couple £100 million over budget so what hope of making 2018.
If Mr Lowy wants top class soccer here let him try funding it like the guy at Chelsea instead of talking about it put his cash where his big mouth is.
Go and pay wages to match the best clubs in the world instead of employing players past their best who have no where else to go.
It would be great if the Aussie Media got behind soccer instead of AFL but that's not going to happen so we are stuck with a very poor standard .
Loved his I think is Australia is the best place in the world to live so whats stopping him proving it by paying for the best.
- by gary richardson on November 05, 2007 at 10:23 PM
Yes England will get to the WC as they always have done and have won it so tell us average aussie how many games have Australia won in World cup Finals too hard pal the answer is one against the mighty Japan and only been to 2 Finals very poor covers that .
As for the Euro Cup England have played in most of them and held it in the UK , how did Australia do in the Asian Cup? rubbish covers that.
Pommie bashing is fun but it shows how much this country needs to mature , get a life any Aussie any good at Soccer is on the first plane to the UK.
Remind me again about all the world class players in the A league , even an has been like Fowler turned down Sydney for a no mark team like Cardiff because Lowy would not match their contract.
Peanuts and monkeys sums up Aussie Soccer.
- by gary richardson on November 06, 2007 at 10:34 PM
We don't deserve to host the world cup after our disgraceful whinging in the 2006 world cup. Our media especially Mathew Hall were so rude & anti-Italian in that world cup I was ashamed to be Australian. Italy beat Australia fair & square and our media could not accept it. Shame. I was so happy for Italy winning that world cup for the sole reason that it made Mathew Hall eat Humble Pie. In future be a little unbias when you report on the world cup.
Thanks Michael. Grosso cheated. End of story. If drawing attention to that makes you ashamed to be Australian, then I will eat as much humble pie as I can manage before vomiting on divers, be they World Cup "winners" or kids in playgrounds. See ya.
- by Michael Little-White on November 09, 2007 at 06:23 PM
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Agree... However a 2018 bid with a focus to try again in 2022 would'nt be a bad thing.