© EuroFootball.com
The US Soccer Federation (USSF) has expressed a desire to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but has not ruled out the possibility of implementing their plans in 2014 as well.
USSF President Sunil Gulati announced that an organizing committee will be formed at the Federation's meeting in Los Angeles this weekend, which will ensure that the country wins the right to host the championship.
The United States has previously hosted the World Cup in 1994.
"In 1994, we proved how well we can host a championship. Now, with soccer advancing significantly in this country, we can do it even better," said S.Gulati to the Washington Post.
The 1994 World Cup contributed significantly to the development of soccer in the United States. The tournament attracted the highest number of spectators on average (68,991) for all World Cups up to that point. Later, a professional soccer league MLS was established in the country, the US consistently qualifies for the World Cup, and the strongest clubs in the world hold their camps in the US.
The 2010 World Cup will be held in South Africa, while Brazil and Colombia are competing to host the 2014 championship. England has also expressed a desire to host the 2018 tournament. However, if FIFA decides to hold the 2018 tournament in Europe, the US may have to compete for the 2014 championship with the Brazilians, who hosted the tournament in 1950, and the Colombians, who were granted the rights to host the championship in 1986 but later turned it down.
"FIFA undoubtedly knows that we are capable. And if they decide to host the tournament in Europe in 2018 and we have to compete for 2014, we are open to that possibility," said USSF President S.Gulati.
