Quick - hide the kegs and liquor bottles, FIFA is on their way.
The USA World Cup bid committee released the details of the visit in a press release today; the trip will include stops in five proposed host cities (New York, DC, Miami, Dallas, and Houston), looks at the stadiums in each of those cities, as well as a peek at potential training sites, "fan fest" venues and more. Transportation, hotels, proposed media accommodations: it will all be given the thorough once over by a group of muckity-mucks led by Chile Football Association president Harold Mayne-Nicholls.
Representatives from all 18 candidate cities will be in New York to meet the delegation when they arrive on Monday. Including in the group are Danny Jordaan, CEO of the 2010 World Cup local organizing committee in South Africa; Jürgen Müller, FIFA Head of Event Management; Wolfgang Eichler, FIFA Media Officer; David Fowler, FIFA Marketing; and Julio Avellar, FIFA Competitions.
Here's the standard the US needs to live up to, though most believe that England is up for 2018 and the US for 2022:
"Concerning public transportation and event facilities, there seems to be no problem in hosting an event of such scope. This also counts for safety and security matters," Mayne-Nicholls said.
"One thing FIFA are particularly focused on is accommodation, as we need a very high number of quality rooms. This is why we ask all bidders for a certain number of contracted hotel rooms. We trust that you will be able to fulfill the necessary requirements."
Mayne-Nicholls said inspectors had been warmly received by England bid chiefs, adding: "They have organized the visit in a perfect way, with great professionalism, but also with a sense of friendship and hospitality."
Do we have any doubts that the United States can't get the same glowing review when Senor Mayne-Nicholls and his cohorts depart at the end of next week? As with England, the US can show large stadiums ready to host games tomorrow if need be, something that is tripping up the bid efforts of Russia (Mayne-Nicholls warned Russian officials that they would need to start construction immediately on 10 new venues to be ready in time).
We've got stadiums, hotels, transportation, the works - all that being said, it's far from a slam dunk that the US gets the 2022 tournament. We'll know more at the end of next week.
