Oceania Football Confederation on World Cup Bid: No Mouse That Roared – MLS Multiplex

Nov 11, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Mexico midfielder Hector Herrera (16) dribbles the ball while USA defender DeAndre Yedlin (2) defends during the second half of the match at MAPFRE Stadium. Mexico beats the USA 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

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The 11-nation Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) competes as the smallest of six continental soccer confederations. But it has the eligibility to dilute North American efforts. It could extend a bid of its own for the expanded 48-team, 80-match tournament.

So they carry a big stick.Their swinging that stick helps the CONCACAF World Cup cause a lot.

With the OFCs April 18 endorsement, they nearly cleared the path for the 2026 World Cup coming to North America.

Oceania backing the bid for the Cup leaves just two others, CAF (Africa) and CONMEBOL (South America), apparently in the running for bids, reports Rob Usry for SB Nations Stars and Strips FCon April 18:

CONCACAF is expected to submit a request to FIFA to allow them a one-year exclusive period of negotiations where they would have until March 2018 without any competitors to show their bid is up to World Cup standards. With so few contenders in line, theres a chance they could win the bid without any opposition at all if FIFA allows them the one-year period.

OFC President David Chung specifically said his organization backs FIFA making a decision on May 11 for the joint bids exclusive period of negotiation:

These three nations have the appropriate infrastructure in place to host the enlarged 48 team, 80 match event. In addition, CONCACAF has not hosted the worlds premier football tournament since 1994, so it makes sense on a rotational basis that the World Cup returns to the Confederation.

The Daily Mail reported earlier this year on FIFAs financial research of the new World Cup format. It should generate about $7 billion.

U.S. Soccer President Suni Gulati said April 10 in the New York Times that the financial impact supports the CONCACAF bid as well.Many federations depend heavily on funds by World Cup payouts:

A World Cup in North America, with 60 games in the United States, would be, by far, the most successful World Cup in the history of FIFA, in terms of economics.

So Oceanias support at this date isnt any mouse that roared. Their statement rings loud and clear.

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Oceania Football Confederation on World Cup Bid: No Mouse That Roared - MLS Multiplex