Countries Bidding for the 2018 World Cup

The FIFA World Cup, which is considered to be the greatest tournament in the world, is held every four years, and after the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, FIFA will be looking for a new host country to host the tournament.

The countries in the running are Australia, England, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Russia, and the United States in solo bids and Belgium/Netherlands and Portugal/Spain in joint bids. Here are the reasons why each country might or might not earn the privilege of hosting the World Cup.

Individual Bids

Australia

Previous World Cups as host: None

Why Australia could be the host

Australia seems committed to becoming the first team from Oceania to host the World Cup and have held major sporting events in this country including the 2000 Olympics, the 2006 Commonwealth Games, the Rugby World Cup in 2003, and the Rugby League World Cup in 2008. With this resume, Australia has a great chance of hosting the 2018 World Cup.

Why Australia might not be the host

Australia, despite their reputation built on the 2000 Olympics, might fall because of the lack of suitable stadiums and the fact that Europe will not have hosted a World Cup in 12 years going into 2018.

England

Previous World Cups as host: 1966 (Won)

Why England might be the host

After 52 years without hosting a World Cup, the English have a legitimate shot of hosting in 2018. They have received support from FIFA to have this tournament held there, and with a possible 12 year hiatus for the World Cup in Europe, England has a great shot of hosting this tournament.

Why England might not be the host

Many people claim that England will host this final, but the invitation of a member of the BNP (a right-wing, whites-only political party) to the bid launch could hurt them as this action has already hurt England. However, this appears to be the only blemish going against the English bid.

Indonesia

Previous World Cups as host: None

Why Indonesia might be the host

Indonesia is a country with a country with a growing population and despite their effect in hurting the environment, they plan to make their stadiums environmentally friendly and use the World Cup to show this.

Why Indonesia might not be the host

However, Indonesia has been going through a tough economic and political situation in recent years and also have a national team that is ranked 137 in the FIFA World Rankings. There is a better chance that they will win the 2022 bid than the 2018 bid.

Japan

Previous World Cups as host: Co-hosted 2002 World Cup with South Korea

Why Japan might be the host

Japan already hosted the 2002 World Cup with South Korea and several stadiums that are big enough for the World Cup. Also, they hosted the FIFA Club World Cup every year since 2005.

Why Japan might not be the host

However, Japan doesn't currently have a stadium that is big enough to be a host stadium and they are relying on winning the 2016 Olympics to get that stadium. But if they don't win the bid, there is a low chance that they will host the World Cup in either 2018 or 2022. Also, their recent World Cup appearance as a host will work against them as they will have just held a World Cup 16 years before 2018.

Mexico

Previous World Cups as host: 1970 and 1986

Why Mexico might be the host

After hosting two World Cups, Mexico is trying for a third, and are already making new stadiums in several different cities throughout the country.

Why Mexico might not be the host

Already already hosting two World Cups, Mexico will have to do a lot to get another one, especially considering some of the countries they are against. Also with Brazil hosting the World Cup in 2014, it is highly unlikely that another country in the Americas will get the bid.

Russia

Previous World Cups hosted: None

Why Russia might be the host

Russia has shown that they are ready for this championship as they already have a main stadium (the Luzhniki Stadium) and have several other stadiums planned to be built by 2018.

Why Russia might not be the host

Russia is the biggest country in the world and with its tremendous size, it reaches into 11 different time zones. Also, the problems that Poland and Ukraine are having for Euro 2012 could hurt Russia's bid.

United States

Previous World Cups hosted: 1994

Why the United States might be the host

The United States has tremendous stadiums all throughout the country and set financial, attendance, and average attendance records back when they hosted the 1994 World Cup. Also, American President Barack Obama sent in letter to FIFA President Sepp Blatter in support of the American bid.

Why the United States might not be the host

The popularity of football (soccer as it is called there) hasn't risen to the level of most other countries in the world but football has gained more popularity there in recent years. Also, Brazil hosting the 2014 World Cup hurts the American chances of having the World Cup.

Joint Bids

Belgium/Netherlands

Previous World Cups hosted: None

Why Belgium/Netherlands might host the World Cup

These countries already have combined to host Euro 2000 and are in Europe, which could be what FIFA wants to do in 2018.

Why Belgium/Netherlands might not host the World Cup

They currently don't have a stadium that is big enough to host the final and UEFA President Michel Platini already has stated that if a suitable individual bid is available, it will beat out a joint bid.

Spain/Portugal

Previous World Cups hosted: Spain (individual) 1982

Why Spain/Portugal might host the World Cup

Both of these countries have a combined eight UEFA five star stadiums, the most out of any European country in the bidding. Also, Portugal was the host country for Euro 2004, and both have had very successful national teams in recent years.

Why Spain/Portugal might not host the World Cup

The fact that it is a joint bid could hurt these two countries but beside that, there is very little wrong with this bid.

Finally, all of these countries all want to have this great tournament played in their country, but in December of 2010, only one of these bids will win the honor of hosting the World Cup.