FA invites cities to make seperate 2018 bids
The Football Association will ask for different cities around the country, to apply to host World Cup games in the result of a successful 2018 bid.
According to the Press Association, the FA have already got their eye on 10 stadiums, but have invited cities to make seperate bids to be included. As Wembley is the only confirmed stadium, then theoretically every other city has a chance.
Wembley: The only confirmed 2018 World Cup stadium so far
This is accentuated by the FA’s desire to have a wide geographical spread – something that adds the proposed new stadiums for Bristol City and Portsmouth into the picture, two cities which were overlooked during the famous 1966 finals.
Artists Impression of the Portsmouth stadium to be built in the near future – World Cup venue?
However, questions are surfacing over Manchester, after the trouble involving Rangers fans at the recent UEFA Cup Final, and whether the incident will hinder the bid as a whole. Nonetheless, sources suggest that the FA are unconcerned by this, but are going to look into issues such as all-day drinking before games as part of their bid.
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Ipswich should be given real consideration, as a possible venue for the 2018 World Cup.
I believe this because:
Portman Road, A famous old-style stadium, modern facilities, and not an obvious choice as a venue. Current Capacity is just over 30,000, but this could be increased quite easily, to fulfil FIFA requirements of stadia.
Also, 2 stadiums are not allowed to be used in one city, ruling many larger stadiums out of the equation.
While Ipswich is not the largest town in the world, it has a real hunger for football, and would be a great venue, if selected for World Cup, and would fit right into FA’s plan to spread the stadiums all over the country – then East Anglia’s largest and most prestigious sports venue must be considered!
I think Elland Road (Leeds United) would be a great world cup stadium. It has brilliant fans and has hosted euro games aswell as england under 21 games.
I do believe Bristol should be part of the bid if the new 40,000 all seater stadium is built.
It is the 8th biggest city in the UK and if we are talking about spreading it around, well the WestCountry is always overlooked where sporting events are concerned. It would be a major boost for the area and in 1996 and 1966 the West was ignored.