World Cup 2026 bid: Mexico left with 'crumbs'
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Apr 10, 2017
The Mexican sports daily Record offered the headline: "Mexico could get
crumbs." ESPN commentator Leon Lecanda tweeted that Mexico should pull out of the bidding to preserve its dignity and getting
just 10 games and none after the round of 16 was "ridiculous." Fox Sports Mexico's Andre Marin termed the 60/10/10
split a "joke."
Mexico is one of the strongest soccer markets in the world. Liga MX averaged 26,600 fans a game for the Torneo Apertura, ranking fourth in the world behind only Germany's
Bundesliga, England's Premier League and Spain's La Liga.
Just last year, on the eve of the FIFA Congress in Mexico City, all the talk in the Mexican media was how Mexico alone could host
the 2026 World Cup with reports detailing all the stadiums Mexico could use.
TV Azteca's Gerardo Velazquez said getting 10 games was an embarrassment for Mexico.
"It is something that only demonstrates the power [U.S. Soccer president] Sunil Gulati has in the region," he added, "and that the real giant in Concacaf is the United States and not
Mexico."
That was pretty much the view of Mexican federation president Decio de Maria.
"The United States doesn't need us to host a World Cup," he told Televisa. "That
is the message. On Day 1, we didn't have a single game. Today, [we have] 10."
Di Maria tried to put a positive spin on things after Monday's announcement in New York.
“Yes, it’s going to be 10 games in Mexico," he added, "but also games in Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Chicago and Phoenix. For us, it’s home.”
I completely agree that the split is ridiculous - Mexico should have gotten at minimum 20 games. Canada, with it's lack of venues seems about right. But for Decio to say that "For us, it's home" - uhhh, Decio, no it's not. It's the U.S.A., not Mexico. You would do well to remember that.
I'm not sure what Sunil is going for here, is it 'look at us stick our finger in their eye'? Why even bother claiming that this is a joint bid if you're going to stick your boot on the other countries' neck? It's insulting, and U.S. soccer comes off looking pretty bad by even attempting a bid that's this slanted. It would have been better to do a bid just for the U.S., rather than look like the bully who lets a few crumbs drop for the other countries.
Behind the scenes, Sunil will share some of the profit with Decio for games played in Usa for helping Usa secure the bid. Decio doesn't care how ot looks in the public eye. That simple.
You have two participants in this proposition that are crooked and unreliable. FIFA is number 1 and Mexico is a very close second.
Really? Ussf is as clean as a whistle huh? Lol. Where is Chuck Blazer at when you need him?
Any game in the United States is a home field for Mexico. They know that surprised you don't. If a lot of games were in Mexico or Canada they will be games I will miss.
If they don't like it, they can pull out and Canada can host their ten games.
Wouldnt lose much, we would think. I am sure Ussf is sharing a piece of Usa game pie with Mexico. If not this makes no sense.
We are using both Canada and Mexico to insurance we get the WC. That is all we should care about. Of course they are getting a piece of the action probably more like 16 percent each. Still ok to me a good investment with a big return.
People critical of the decision need to think about the compressed schedules and the effects of jet lag. Being able to focus on hosting matches at 2 stadiums and cities greatly simplifies the infrastructure preparation and event support. It also allows Canada and Mexico to select their best locations. In determining the benefit of the deal to each country, the real issue is how will the three countries split revenues and costs? Making teams travel thousands of extra miles between matches to satisfy host national pride will either unbalance the competition or, if both teams are required to travel thousands of extra miles, result in fatigue-induced poor play and injuries.
Wish we had gone alone but, I can live with this set up. Mexico has already hosted 2.
A thought. FIFA should consider increasing the squad size (from 23 to 25 for example) to counter the addition of another round of single elimination matches without increasing the recovery time. It would likely improve the level of play in the group of 8 and beyond.
Makes sense. Also, the travel is likely to be more demanding than at some other world cups so the extra bodies will be welcome.
Will FIFA chaege the same ticket prices in USA and Canada as in mexicos ten games.
meant charge
The way they keep adding more and more teams for the World Cup as participants, they'll probably need a whole a whole continent(s) to host them for otherwise there won't be enough hotel space and fields. Mars is looking good for a future site to hold everybody for a WC site
Dont give them any ideas. If Mls decides to give Mars a franchise you will have Don and Fire cheerleading for it. Im sure.
Gary, you said it,LOL