Australia hopes 2009 & 2010 Club World Cup will lead to 2018 World Cup

Australia hopes their bid for the 2009 & 2010 Club World Cup will help them land the 2018 World Cup.

Their football association's chief executive Ben Buckley said:

"We want to be a strong and positive contributor to the world of football in as many ways as possible," he added.

"Next week's FIFA Congress is part of that strategy, as is the 2015 Asian Cup, bidding for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and also the 2009 and 2010 Club World Cup."

With FIFA meeting in Sydney next week to make the decision on the Club World Cup, chances are very strong Australia will get the nod, but will this actually give them a strong chance at landing the big prize in 2018?

With Europe all but a lock on 2018, and England the obvious front-runner, hosting a relatively small event such as this probably will not change the balance. However, if they can combine this event with a successful 2015 Asian Cup (which has yet to be awarded) and a solid 2018 bid, they might actually position themselves well for 2022.

Guss Hiddink to stay with Russia through 2010

Guss Hiddink is to every international team what Jürgen Klinsmann was to US Soccer. Meaning, every time a spot becomes available, his name is thrown into the ring.

But it looks like Hiddink has gone the way of Klinsmann and taken his name out of consideration for at least two years as he has signed a new contract with Russia through 2010. This, combined with their relatively easy group draw, means Russia has a good chance of making it to South Africa.

If he does, it will just be a continuation of his streak that includes the Netherlands (1998), South Korea (2002) and Australia (2006).

World Cup 2018 - Could Australia's bid fail due to rugby?

Although England is the front-runner for 2018 World Cup hosting duties, there are still a number of other countries in the mix. Perhaps the nation with the best outside shot of taking the finals is Australia, but first they will need to convince their rugby leagues to take a five week break.

For those that don't know, rugby is the king of sports in Australia and the owners (or at least main tenants) of just about every large stadium in the country. These are the same stadiums the Australian soccer federation will need to use if they are awarded the cup.

The problem is, the rugby season runs from March to the last weekend in September. Since the World Cup is played mostly in June, there is a conflict. FIFA is very demanding of pitch surfaces for World Cups (in Germany they barely let teams practice on the pitches ahead of the matches), so I really could not see them allowing other games played in the selected stadiums.

That means the ruby league would need to take a five-week break in the middle of their season to accommodate World Cup needs. The have changed their schedule in the past (most recently starting early in 2000 due to the Olympics), but as far as I can tell, they have never suspended their season (I am far from an expert on the AFL so I might be wrong).

The other option would be to shift the rugby games to different stadiums. However this too could be complicated as the ruby teams would surely lose money from playing in smaller stadiums and FIFA might not like the idea of having competition during their premier event.

So in the end, Australia's 2018 bid might come down to their rugby league. Will they be interested in completely changing their structure in order to help a sport that very well could become a challenger to their dominance of the sporting landscape? Or will they do like NFL owners in America and decide that the large amount of money they can get from the stadium more then makes up for the limited spike in soccer interest?

Donovan interested in move to Australia

Landon Donovan has suggested he might end his playing days in Australia's A-League.

"My wife and I have talked about that (coming to play in Australia). Not now but maybe one day. I have got a couple more years at the Galaxy … it might be a while (but) I love it here," he said.

He called the 80,000 strong crowd that watch the Galaxy take on Sydney FC 'awesome' and though they played a great game.

It is interesting that Donovan, who claimed that being near his home as his main reason for moving back from Europe a few years ago, would now be willing to go even further away to finish up his playing days. Then again, maybe he's thinking Australia might get the 2018 World Cup and he, at the age of 36, could get some local love as he takes the field one last time for the USA. Or maybe he thinks that 80,000 will show up to watch him play.

Iraqis desert team

Three members of the Iraqi Olympic team as well as an assistant coach have deserted their country while in Australia. The four have grown tired of security concerns back home and are seeking political asylum.

Assistant coach Saadi Toma and playing trio Ali Mansour, Ali Khidhayyir and Ali Abbas were not present for the team's flight back home after their 2-0 defeat, with Toma later informing the Iraqi FA by telephone that the quartet had applied for asylum.

"It's because of the deteriorated security situation and violence against athletes in Iraq," explained Tariq Ahmed of the FA.

World Cup rotation dead - Fifa spits on Concacaf - Why is Jack Warner still in charge?

Fifa made it official today, the rotational system will die after the 2014 Brazil finals, meaning everyone except for little Oceania and Concacaf got a piece of the World Cup pie.

This comes as no surprise as Fifa boss Sepp Blatter has been hinting at this for some time now but still, one has to wonder why Concacaf President and Blatter's BFF Jack Warner was not able to bring his confederation the finals as he promised. Since it was Concacaf's to lose and Warner lost it, hopefully all the FAs will realize that Warner is not the great strength he portrays himself to be.

So 2018 now becomes an open bidding tournament much like, as Blatter points out, the Olympics. I guess that means 2018 process will be a lot like those for the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Blatter listed China, Australia, Mexico, the United States, England and one combined offer from the Netherlands and Belgium as countries already showing interest in the finals. However, seeing that those in Europe pushed this moved, it is pretty safe to say that most of them are already unofficially out. I'm sure Fifa will keep as many countries 'in the game' as they can so as to milk as much out of it as possible, but in the end, 2018 is now England's World Cup to lose.

2018 World Cup getting closer to England

Fifa boss Sepp Blatter as personally assured Prime Minister Gordon Brown that rules will be changed to do away with the rotational hosting idea, thus allowing England and just about anyone else the chance to bid on the 2018 World Cup finals.

In addition, it now appears that the new rule will say that only the most recent confederation to host the finals will be barred from bidding. In the past, Blatter had suggested that the last two host confederations would be barred. This means that a return to the one in Europe, one somewhere else, one in Europe rotation is very likely.

One interesting part of the article says that England will 'face competition from Russia, the Benelux nations, Italy, Australia, China, Mexico and possibly the United States.' I don't really understand the 'possibility' in front of the US as they have openly said that they will bid (especially since the 2018 rotation would have gone to Concacaf if FIFA actually played by their own rules).

So there you have it, all signs point to England in 2018, although wouldn't it be funny if Russia snuck in and won it at the end?

DC United's Fred not an A-League legend

Before Fred was exciting play at RFK, he was part of Australia's Melbourne Victory. But despite assisting in many goals, including four of the five in the final, his former coach Ernie Merrick doesn't understand why fans and players see him as a legend.

"The Victory coach said it was 'ludicrous that he has become a legend' after being reminded that veteran Socceroo defender Tony Vidmar, now of the Central Coast Mariners, had said after Sunday's scoreless draw that without Fred there was no Victory."

I have to hand it to the author of this piece for his cheekiness as seen in this fine paragraph:

Merrick yesterday said he could not understand the excitement generated by the stamina-packed Fred, whose tireless running and inventive link play did so much to galvanise the Victory strike force, particularly in the grand final where he almost single-handedly set up the five goals for his teammate Archie Thompson.

I'm guessing the reason Merrick is so interested in playing down the contribution of Fred has less to do with what he actually thinks of the player and more to do with his club's current situation. After a championship year, they have come out a bit flat in the current campaign, so Merrick is probably trying to inspire his players by playing down what Fred did.

But Merrick also has some words about Fred and DC United:

"He (Fred) had a terrific game in his last game (the grand final). Never a goalscorer, Fred. We sourced him, we developed him, and he went on to the USA where I have to say he isn't doing as well as he did with us. I think a lot of that is to do with the team that's round about him and the support he got."

Always interesting to see what past coaches think of their players now.

2010 World Cup News

It might seem like it is a long way away but there is still a great deal happening in preparation for 2010. Here is just some of the news about the biggest single sport event in the world.

The big news is that optimism in South Africa is growing that they will be ready to host the finals, with 70% now believing it will happen. However, only 52% think the country will be able to meet the electrical needs of the tournament.

The good vibrations are inspiring those in the marketing community to come up with a way to 'brand' Africa before the Cup, much the way Germany did with great success.

However, it looks like the environment will not be as big a part of the South African brand as it was for Germany as the new Green Point Stadium in Cape Town will not be very green after deciding not to implement any of the recommended environmentally friendly building techniques.

Also in environmental news, a court has delayed a case brought by the Cape Town Environmental Protection Association looking to move the above mentioned Green Point Stadium. They say a decision will be reached by August 13.

But the environment might not be the only thing harmed in 2010 as FIFA is looking to trademark a number of phrases related to the World Cup that some feel would interfere with constitutional freedom of the media. Some of the phrases are: 2010, twenty ten, drawings of the Fifa World Cup, Football World Cup, Soccer World Cup, Win in Africa, Football for a Better World and all names of the venue cities with the figure 2010.

If you will be in Johannesburg 2010™, expect a great airport experience followed by big traffic jams since the main highway in town is so busy that "..traffic moves so slowly that most employers do not mind if an employee arrives an hour late."

Maybe while you are in those jams you can enjoy one of South Africa’s many fine wines. In fact, if you learn enough about them, maybe you could become a sommelier as they are in short supply for the finals.

Tanzania might not be one of South Africa’s direct neighbors but they are hoping to gain from 2010™ as well as they will provide incentives to teams to train in country before heading down south.

Who knows, maybe one of those teams will be Iraq as the new Asian Cup winners are looking at 2010™ qualification as their next goal.

One of the teams Iraq might have to face is China who could hire their Olympic coach Ratomir Dujkovic to take over the senior squad after next year's Beijing Games. Dujkovic led Ghana in 2006.

But the team from Asia that looks to have the easiest path to South Africa™ is Australia as they have been seeded number 1 for qualifying meaning the Socceroos will get a bye to Round 3. With 4.5 spots available, they have to like their chances better then the old .5 spot allocated to former federation Oceania.

Australia is also looking for more soccer glory as they plan on bidding for both the 2015 Asian Cup and the 2018 World Cup.

Talking about 2018, a new FIFA rule might just help England land the tournament. FIFA™ looks likely to approve a rule that would require the World Cup be played in Europe once every 12 years. With 2010 in South Africa and 2014 in Brazil, well what do you know, FIFA would be 'forced' to land the finals in Europe.

Also working out for England is Franz Beckenbauer who said of 2018, "It has to come back to Europe and then England, of course, is the first choice to host the World Cup in 2018."

If this rule does pass (and I think it will), 2022 becomes the big battleground as everyone not in Europe could throw down a bid.

So there you have the World Cup news and remember just 1043 days till first kick 2010™...

2007 Asian Cup news - More joy for Iraq thanks to soccer

The country of Iraq doesn't have much to bring it joy these days, however their national soccer team is trying hard to change all that. The Iraqi squad beat Vietnam 2-0 in first knockout round of the Asian Cup to advance to the semi-finals for the first time since 1976.

Hundreds of Iraqis swarmed out of their houses after the victory, waving their country's flag and honking horns as men and boys jumped on top of minibuses and other vehicles. Those without flags took off their shirts and waved them.

An outcome of a soccer match means little long term for people suffering through everything that is happening in Iraq, however, even if just for a few moments, the game of soccer has been able to give them something of which to be proud.

Sadly, even in these moments, tragedy surfaces as two people were killed and 15 injured during due to celebratory gunfire.

In other Asian Cup action, the big game between Australia and Japan lived up to the billing as the sides were tied at 1 after extra time. In penalty kicks, Japan came out on top 4-3 thus earning some revenge for the 3-1 defeat in last year's World Cup.

Soccer brings joy to Iraq

Earlier today, the Iraqi soccer team pulled off a great upset when they trashed Australia 3-1 in the Asian Cup. This surprise victory sent people to the streets of Iraq in joy. They honked horns, waved flags an all around enjoyed the moment.

"Despite all of what is happening, the most important thing for us is Iraq. Soccer unites Iraq. Long live Iraq," a man shouted from inside his car before driving away.

For a country that lives with a daily threat of death just about anywhere, this was a welcome reprieve. However, with all that has happened to Iraq, the politics of this win cannot be removed.

"The game today was some kind of a challenge because we were playing with a country that has military presence here and at the same time a country known to have a strong team" said lawyer Mohammed al-Kharasani, 52. "Regrettably, the Australian team played looking down to us since they are an occupying country."

I'm not sure if the played down to them because of the occupation but that is just about as good as any other excuse for Australia's horrible play so far in the Asian Cup. With one more group game to go, they must get a win if they hope to advance. The Socceroos play hosts Thailand on Monday in a must win game. Meanwhile, Iraq will play Oman needing only a tie to guarantee a spot in the second round.