Thursday, December 2, 2010

CONCACAF holds deciding vote for FIFA World Cup; announcement due Thursday

The FIFA executive committee, which includes Vice President Jack Warner, will vote Thursday to determine which country will get the FIFA World Cup for 2018 and 2022.


England is making a strong push for the 2018 games but is facing stiff competition from Russia, which is a favourite. England's chances were weakened after the BBC ran a scandalous documentary this week about certain FIFA officials.


CONCACAF, which is headed by Warner, holds the crucial deciding vote and Warner has been receiving visits from World leaders. On Tuesday he met for a half hour with British Prime Minister David Cameron. And American President barack Obama telephoned him to solocit his support for the 2022 World Cup.


Warner met in Zurich Wednesday with Former U.S. President and Head of the US Bid delegation Bill Clinton as well as President of the English FA, Prince William.


At the meeting with Clinton Warner once again reiterated his commitment to the U.S. bid .

“President you have nothing to fear," Warner told the former American leader. He added, "My CONCACAF colleagues and I am fully behind the U.S. bid as I told your current President yesterday. The U.S. is part of the CONCACAF family and we will not abandon our family.”

Warner added, “Like this bid team I too have a vested interest in seeing the World Cup return to CONCACAF.

"As President of the Confederation it would bring me no greater joy than to see the world’s greatest tournament return to our region. We are a diverse region ready and willing to welcome the world yet again. 

"My passion for this quest burns deeply …In 2022, I do not know where I will be, but now I know where I am and in the now I am fully behind the U.S. bid.”

Clinton thanked Warner for his continued support saying, “It is not possible without your support Jack and I’m happy you are fully on board.”

 
Warner, who is the longest serving Vice President of FIFA, also met with President of the FA, Prince William and bid Ambassador David Beckham Wednesday afternoon at the Bur au Lac hotel in Zurich.

Warner congratulated the Prince on his engagement, jokingly telling him that a good marriage is like good football game “to win it you must be determined and willing to work hard, and your tactics may have to change from time to time.”

Warner also took time to talk football with Beckham, the LA Galaxy superstar. They talked about the club's performance.

The bid teams for the rights to host the 2022 World Cup - Australia, Qatar, USA and Japan - all made final 30 presentations before the FFA Executive Committee. 

On Thursday the teams for the 2018 games will make their presentation. Belgium and The Netherlands have launched a combined bid to host the World Cup in 2018. The bid has been posted under the banner, ‘Together for Great Goals’ and is mainly focused on making the world better and particularly, the environment.

England and Russia are favourites to get the approval and have already put in a massive effort in order to try and bring the Cup to their respective countries and it is very likely that either England or Russia will secure the bid from FIFA.

The FIFA Executive Committee will begin voting at 2pm and FIFA will make the official announcement of the winner two hours later.

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Jai & Sero

Jai & Sero

Our family at home in Toronto 2008

Our family at home in Toronto 2008
Amit, Heather, Fuzz, Aj, Jiv, Shiva, Rampa, Sero, Jai