UK – The UK is lamenting the loss of up to US$5bn as a result of FIFA’s decision to award the 2018 World Cup to Russia.
The country, one of several candidates put forward as potential hosts, lost out on the chance to stage the event.
FIFA’s decision, which saw England finish last in a list of candidates that included Russia and joint bids from Portugal-Spain and Netherlands-Belgium, prompted speculation that UK media criticism of FIFA had put the kybosh on the UK’s bid.
But whatever the cause, FIFA President Sepp Blatter yesterday awarded the competition to Russia for the 2018 event, while Qatar beat off bids from the US, Japan, South Korea and Australia for the 2022 event.
According to some US commentators, the total national economic value of hosting the tournament is worth about US$5bn. FIFA’s decision is expected to speed Russia’s infrastructure development and boost shares of airlines and steelmakers, though it could cost billions of dollars to achieve.
Director of Marketing at VisitBritain, Laurence Bresh, said it is not all bad news for Britain. “We will remain a dream destination for international sports fans thanks to our annual calendar of world class sporting events,” he commented.
In addition to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Bresh said Britain is preparing to host a whole series of prestige sporting celebrations which have the potential to further boost tourism numbers and showcase Britain to the world. These include the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in 2014, the 2015 Rugby World Cup at venues across England and the Cricket World Cup in England in 2019.
“We have some of the world’s great cathedrals of sport such as Wembley, Lords, Wimbledon, the Millennium Stadium, Old Trafford and Hampden Park, and a remarkably varied sporting calendar which will attract visitors from around the world over the next decade and beyond," he added.
