Thu, Dec 02 10 01:28 AM
REUTERS - The five bidders seeking the right to stage the 2022 World Cup finals -- Australia, South Korea, United States, Qatar and Japan -- are locked in a battle with three apparent favourites and two outsiders.
Below are the latest pros and cons ahead of Thursday's vote by FIFA's executive committee (result expected 1500 GMT).
AUSTRALIA - Has made much of its past experience and success in hosting major events, including the Sydney Olympics and the rugby World Cup. Hopes to emulate Germany's success in providing fans with a fun-packed tournament in a party atmosphere. Argues that its geographical position close to Asia will make for an economically successful event, though the time difference with Europe, still the most influential continent in soccer terms, puts it at a distinct disadvantage. Huge distances, chilly winter evenings and a reliance on air travel could make it less enjoyable for supporters than the bidders are hoping.
Latest odds: 5/2
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JAPAN - Co-hosted the 2002 World Cup with South Korea and now wants to go it alone. The bid reads like a science-fiction film with plans to capture action on the field with 200 mini-cameras and 70 microphones, creating 360 degree coverage of the pitch. The data would generate three-dimensional images which would be projected upwards by a screen lying flat on the ground, giving a near-lifelike replica of the real thing. Japan says it will use this technology at fan fests in all 208 national associations. Has superb infrastructure but critics say the bid is gimmicky and when Japan hosted the 2002 event, the time difference meant that both Europe and South America watched matches at unpopular times.
Latest odds: 33/1
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SOUTH KOREA - Like Japan, South Korea has based its bid around excellent infrastructure and high technology. More than the Japanese part of 2002, South Korea's hosting of the event was memorable for the fanatical atmosphere which helped propel the team to the semi-finals. The South Koreans also believe that hosting another World Cup 20 years on could help pave the way for peace and reunification with neighbour North Korea. Fears of hostilities with North Korea, brought into sharp focus last week when the North shelled an island in the South, could also dampen their hopes. Like Japan, it could suffer from having hosted the tournament only 20 years previously and like Australia and Japan the time zone is considered unfavourable for television rights.
Latest odds: 40/1
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UNITED STATES - Hosting the World Cup in 1994 was widely seen as a gamble as the sport was still struggling to establish itself. Things have changed greatly since then with the professional league -- Major League Soccer -- now well established and the national team regulars on the World Cup scene. The U.S. bid is also seen as the most financially attractive and, like Australia, the country is a cultural melting-pot where nearly all visiting teams would find plenty of local support. Minus points could be the difficulty and expense of obtaining U.S. visas, a lack of public transport in major U.S. cities, huge distances, over-dependence on air travel and searing summer heat in many venues.
Latest odds: 5/2
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QATAR - Qatar says that it is time to bring the World Cup to the Middle East for the first time and that not even blistering summer temperatures need be a problem. The oil-rich country has promised to build air-conditioned stadiums and training pitches to alleviate the effects of its ferociously hot climate and says the new stadiums can be dismantled and shipped off to poorer countries after the event. Nevertheless, FIFA's own evaluation committee said conditions were still a potential health threat to players and visiting fans.
Latest odds: 4/6
Source: Published>
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