Should Canada Bid for 2026 World Cup? - Page 8

Copes · #**141** Posted: **Jul 6, 2012, 8:40 PM**

Wow. All this discussion around here, let's see what happens!

patm · #**142** Posted: **Jul 6, 2012, 8:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Copes

Wow. All this discussion around here, let's see what happens!

As long as we can get some support to build/reno the stadiums that we need, I think we have a great shot.

roccerfeller · #**143** Posted: **Jul 6, 2012, 8:51 PM**

lol

World Cup in Canada? I'm going to come across as obtuse here, but sure we could make a bid, but really? There are many more countries suited for World Cups other than Canada.

Soccer is popular here, but its not as big as it is everywhere else in the world. Plus we don't have any stadiums remotely as large as needed to hold a tournament. Even commonwealth in Edmonton is tiny compared to what is needed for a world cup stadium.

Unless you mean a hockey world cup

93JC · #**144** Posted: **Jul 6, 2012, 8:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Copes

Two reasons why Canada should, if money was a non-factor.

#1: Soccer is, undoubtedly, the world's game. Whether you're playing on a gorgeous field in a prosperous town in England, kicking around a ragged ball in Ghana, or watching the Copa America in Ecuador, soccer is a unifying sport around the globe. Canada should want to take part in this, and find common ground with countries we will otherwise never compete with. The World Cup is more than just a big soccer tournament. It's like the Olympics, and it presents an excellent opportunity to showcase our country to the rest of the world. In particular, it gives us a chance to showcase our country to people in areas that know as little about us as the majority in Canada knows about them. The World Cup is a pile of free advertising for Canadian tourism and lesser-known Canadian cities. Not only will there be a major surge of internationals who come here for the games, but those around the world who see Canada on TV may decide that its a place they'd like to visit in the future. Plus, with the need for stadiums across the country, it won't be like the Olympics where one or two provinces benefit. It would be great for everyone from Vancouver to Halifax or St. John's.

#2: Canada SHOULD "give a damn" and ideally hosting an event would help to grow the sport here at home. Statistics show that its popularity is growing, and if FIFA would like to have another event hosted in North America (and is therefore partial to Canada) it seems like it would be in our best interest to go for it. Canadians would undoubtedly rally, and it would surely be a source of national pride that the majority could get excited about.

The problem, of course, is the spending.

#1: I couldn't care less about "taking part in a unifying global sport" or whatever you want to call it. Prove to me that it's a particularly good 'showcase'. The olympics are a poor example; barely anyone even remembers Montreal hosted the games in '76, let alone Calgary and Vancouver...

#2: It would be in FIFA's best interest to "grow the sport". It is not in our interest, unless you're a soccer fan. I am not, ergo I'm perfectly content if it doesn't grow at all.

patm · #**145** Posted: **Jul 6, 2012, 11:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by roccerfeller

lol

World Cup in Canada? I'm going to come across as obtuse here, but sure we could make a bid, but really? There are many more countries suited for World Cups other than Canada.

Soccer is popular here, but its not as big as it is everywhere else in the world. Plus we don't have any stadiums remotely as large as needed to hold a tournament. Even commonwealth in Edmonton is tiny compared to what is needed for a world cup stadium.

I disagree.
Canada is far better suited for the world cup then a lot of countries who have hosted or are slated to host. We have world class infrastructure in terms of transport, accommodations, safety, security... etc. The only thing we lack are stadiums. But so do a lot of countries who end up hosting major soccer tournaments. South Africa, Poland, Ukraine and Qatar all had stadiums that were no better then Canada's before they were awarded their tournaments. South Africa had to upgrade a lot more then just stadiums to host and they're less of a soccer nation then we are.

Thats why FIFA awards the hosts so early, so that they can build the required upgrades.

Copes · #**146** Posted: **Jul 7, 2012, 1:07 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 93JC

#1: I couldn't care less about "taking part in a unifying global sport" or whatever you want to call it. Prove to me that it's a particularly good 'showcase'. The olympics are a poor example; barely anyone even remembers Montreal hosted the games in '76, let alone Calgary and Vancouver...

#2: It would be in FIFA's best interest to "grow the sport". It is not in our interest, unless you're a soccer fan. I am not, ergo I'm perfectly content if it doesn't grow at all.

If things like the Olympics and World Cups weren't beneficial, countries wouldn't try to outdo one another and bid to get them. I don't have research, but you can't tell me that such an event doesn't result in an increase in tourism during, and in the immediate years after an event. I'm not simply talking about a direct, dollar for dollar economic gain, but for me its a source of pride to excite others and make them want to visit my country. No, fourty years later the rest of the world may forget we hosted, but by then, if its deemed a success, we bid again (Montreal in 1976, Vancouver in 2010). The fact of the matter is, for the duration of the event, countries around the world are televising images of our cities and broadcasting our culture. The globe would be watching us. It's like a month long free tourism commercial. You can't honestly tell me you don't see the benefit in that.

And I don't think you have to be a soccer fan to recognize that in a globalized world, there is nothing wrong with finding common ground with countries the majority of Canadian citizens have minimal interaction with. That is my point, and if you don't see the benefit in that then we're simply going to have to agree to disagree.

isaidso · #**147** Posted: **Jul 7, 2012, 3:46 AM**

I'm not a soccer fan, but Canada should definitely bid for the 2026 WC. It would be good for the country.

CorbeauNoir · #**148** Posted: **Jul 7, 2012, 8:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by roccerfeller

lol

World Cup in Canada? I'm going to come across as obtuse here, but sure we could make a bid, but really? There are many more countries suited for World Cups other than Canada.

Soccer is popular here, but its not as big as it is everywhere else in the world. Plus we don't have any stadiums remotely as large as needed to hold a tournament. Even commonwealth in Edmonton is tiny compared to what is needed for a world cup stadium.

Unless you mean a hockey world cup

Neither does Qatar. Their proposed plan is to have temporary upper bowls of seating for their stadiums, after the WC they'll be dismantled and donated as soccer infrastructure to developing countries. I'm sure something similar could be done for stadiums here to bring seating capacity to WC levels. Or heck, it might be a catalyst for entirely new stadiums to be built. It's not like there's a mad 1-2 year scramble to get everything in place right away, this bid is for an event that's still a decade and a half down the line. By that point stadiums like Commonwealth or the Skydome will likely be due for major overhauls anyway.

I'd be more concerned about how spread out all the host cities are going to be. That was a big criticism of the 94 world cup.

Acajack · #**149** Posted: **Jul 9, 2012, 4:22 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 93JC

The olympics are a poor example; barely anyone even remembers Montreal hosted the games in '76, let alone Calgary and Vancouver...

ll.

If you travelled around the world you would know this is not true.

patm · #**150** Posted: **Jul 9, 2012, 1:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorbeauNoir

I'd be more concerned about how spread out all the host cities are going to be. That was a big criticism of the 94 world cup.

I think as long as each group plays in one region of the country, this shouldn't be a big issue. You could even space it so the brackets work out in a way where teams can keep playing in that one region until the later rounds so that the distances aren't too bad.

If you do that, then the distances are really not that bad. You gotta remember that a lot of the previous hosts had roads that were in a lot worse shape then Canada, which made travel even worse.

MrOilers · #**151** Posted: **Jul 9, 2012, 3:00 PM**

I couldn't care less about soccer.

However, this could get Canada a few stadiums that could help our country get some new CFL franchises in other cities - the lack of stadiums is our football league's biggest obstacle to growth and success, in my opinion.

eternallyme · #**152** Posted: **Jul 9, 2012, 9:06 PM**

About the Qatar comparison, if Canada used mostly/all existing or planned stadiums at a low cost, it would set an example for future World Cups on how to properly run it on a budget.

Innsertnamehere · #**153** Posted: **Jul 9, 2012, 9:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrOilers

I couldn't care less about soccer.

However, this could get Canada a few stadiums that could help our country get some new CFL franchises in other cities - the lack of stadiums is our football league's biggest obstacle to growth and success, in my opinion.

typical canadians, they want to host a soccer world cup so they can have some new football stadiums! lol

Acajack · #**154** Posted: **Oct 17, 2012, 11:17 PM**

Canada 1 Honduras 8

No comments on this? (Apologies if they are in another thread.)

rousseau · #**155** Posted: **Oct 17, 2012, 11:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

Canada 1 Honduras 8

No comments on this? (Apologies if they are in another thread.)

I'd say that represents a definitive answer to the question posed in the title of this thread.

cormiermax · #**156** Posted: **Oct 17, 2012, 11:37 PM**

Our men's team is always a disgrace, what a massive embarrassment.

Copes · #**157** Posted: **Oct 18, 2012, 11:41 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cormiermax

Our men's team is always a disgrace, what a massive embarrassment.

This.

With the introduction of some of the MLS team academies (Montreal's U21 academy is currently 2nd place I think?) I'm hoping that promising young Canadian players will be available for a national team come 2018 qualification. I am also hoping that over the next ten years, a new generation of players completely takes over the national team and brings much more skill to the table.

The national team needs to be rebuilt from the ground up. The game in Honduras was absolutely humiliating. Canada should be a competitive force in soccer, its as simple as that. There is no reason why a developed and successful country like ourselves can't have a strong national soccer program.

I fear the men's national team undid any excitement the Women's Olympic team developed here for the sport.

Acajack · #**158** Posted: **Oct 18, 2012, 12:52 PM**

On a news report about the blowout, I heard a soccer analyst listing all of the "onlys" that Canada was the only large country in the world without.

Like a national technical director for soccer. Apparently they are going to be hiring one. But there are a whole bunch of other important positions below the technical director which don't even exist here apparently.

And of course (sorry guys!), he mentioned that Canada is the only country in the world without a bona fide domestic first division.

The_Architect · #**159** Posted: **Oct 18, 2012, 3:15 PM**

<- All I have to say about the men's soccer team.

Antigonish · #**160** Posted: **Oct 18, 2012, 3:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Architect

<- All I have to say about the men's soccer team.

Agreed. I missed the game, but checked the score the next day knowing we only needed a draw to go through my hopes were high. Punched the wall. I've completely given up on our national team, it's an absolute disgrace.

I remember when we won the Gold Cup in 2000, and drew 0-0 with Brazil in the Confederations Cup in 2001 I thought for sure the future was great for us, but one f*ck-up in qualification and we missed out on Korea/Japan the CSA axed our coach (German guy, forget his name).. dumbest in the moment firing ever, Canada is still paying for that poor decision making. Never again will I give two shits about the national team any more. Club football is better and more interesting anyways.