Obama urges FIFA to deliver U.S. World Cup

[jefferson_dem]

Obama urges FIFA to deliver U.S. World Cup

CNN) -- The U.S. President Barack Obama has urged FIFA, the governing body of world football, to give "strong consideration" to an American bid to host a World Cup in 2018 or 2020.

President Barack Obama is keen for America to host the World Cup in 2018.

The president spoke with FIFA head Sepp Blatter in a meeting at the White House on Monday and stated his belief that hosting the event may help to promote the profile of soccer in the United States.

Blatter said in a press conference that he has a duty to be impartial to all 11 contenders for the 2018 event -- but confirmed that Obama had appealed to him to "make another move toward United States soccer."

The last time the United States hosted the World Cup was in 1994 - when, despite limited appeal of football in the country, the tournament became the best attended in history.

Blatter gave the president several footballs as gifts and extended an invitation to the president, who has Kenyan roots, for the upcoming 2010 event in South Africa -- the first time the tournament will be held by the continent of Africa.

In turn The White House confirmed that Obama "hoped his schedule would allow him to complete the visit.

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http://www.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/football/07/28/football.obama.fifa.blatter/index.html?eref=rss_latest

[blm]

1. 94 was 'best attended' because fans came here - fockin OJ Simpson took 99% of coverage

he took over the sports news, entertainment news, and news-news.

World Cup events that had taken years to develop were ignored - even the opening ceremonies were knocked off the networks as they followed that gawddam white Bronco.

The rest of the world thought the US was nuts.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

3. I went to a couple of matches in DC. I'm not a huge soccer fan, but it was blast.

The German and Brazilian fans were nuts! I hope we get it back here again soon.

[VWolf]

2. Looks like CNN made a typo

The bid is for 2018 or 2022. There is no world cup in 2020.

My prediction is:
2014: Brazil
2018: England
2022: USA

That translates to the most $$$ for FIFA.

[Renew Deal]

5. Isn't Brazil locked in for 2014?

[VWolf]

6. Yes. I needed to guarantee

a 33% success rate on my prediction. :)

[HamdenRice]

4. Well of course, a Kenyan born socialist Muslim would favor soccer over Murican sports ...

like basketball.

:sarcasm: