On the Pitch: Indiana Stadiums on (Big) List of Possible World Cup Sites

If you’re like me, you’re a casual fan of soccer who gets a big kick (sorry, Monday morning is the wrong time for puns) out of watching the World Cup. USA Soccer has released a list of possible future sites, and both Lucas Oil and Notre Dame Stadiums made the list. Granted, 70 stadiums were mentioned, but it’s something to think about:

The USA Bid Committee mailed letters last week to public officials and stadium operators in metropolitan markets across the United States in an initial and important step toward preparing a formal bid to play host to the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022.

In all, 70 stadiums in more than 50 metropolitan markets are in consideration, ranging in market size from New York City, where the new Meadowlands Stadium will open in 2010 in nearby East Rutherford, N.J., to college town markets such as Lincoln, Neb., and Fayetteville, Ark. The outreach by U.S. Soccer and the USA Bid Committee truly represents a national campaign to welcome the return of the world’s most popular sporting event to the United States, with the comprehensive mix of metro markets and world class venues representing a chief asset of the U.S. bid.

“The United States is uniquely qualified to stage the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022 as demonstrated by the dozens of metropolitan markets with venues capable of staging World Cup matches in every respect, from the quality of their stadiums to their overall ability to accommodate thousands of fans, news media and visitors from around the world,” said Gulati. “We will soon begin discussions with officials from throughout the U.S. in the name of presenting a world class proposal to FIFA and the global soccer community.”

0 thoughts on “On the Pitch: Indiana Stadiums on (Big) List of Possible World Cup Sites

  1. I just attended the USMNT qualifier in Nashville and it was incredible. Their is a great amount of passion for soccer hear in the US and, obviously, even more passion for the sport overseas. Lucas Oil Stadium would be a great venue for WC games. However, the bid from our city will have to be top notch because we will be competing with at least two other Midwest cities that have an automatic upper hand because of who they are (Chicago) or because of their soccer tradition (St. Louis). Indy should be on par with any other Midwest city competing. Let’s hope those with the ability to pull this off get organized and motivated and make a serious bid to bring the WC to Indy.

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