World Cup 2018 - Portsmouth

A brief look at what Portsmouth has to offer, or not, England as its bid to be a host city for the 2018 world cup.

From Vital England:

ENGLAND UNITED - THE WORLD INVITED

Following the excitement and media saturation of the July launch of England's bid to host the World Cup Finals in 2018 or 2022, it seems to have gone rather quiet. This, I am assured, is because the FA assessors are wandering the country, checking the credentials of the cities vying to be hosts to the games.

Plymouth has now been added to the original 15 cities so that the list now reads:

Birmingham, Bristol, Derby, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Newcastle/Gateshead, Nottingham, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Sunderland.

FIFA require twelve or so stadiums with a minimum of 40,000 capacity for the Group games, including two that hold 80,000 for the opening game and the Final. Generally no more than two stadiums per city are allowed (though it looks as though London might ask for special dispensation to add other grounds to Wembley and The Emirates). So, if the bid is successful, where are you likely to be watching World Cup Football? Wembley (90,000) obviously will hold the Final; the semis are likely to be at Old Trafford (76,212) and The Emirates (60,342) but the other nine grounds are harder to predict. Lord Triesman has made it obvious that he wants as wide a geographical spread as possible so distance from London is probably a plus mark. Local infrastructure will have to include training facilities, base camps and fan parks. Transport links (local, national and international) and accommodation will also be of paramount importance.

So, in no particular order, we look at the current applicants as possible venues.

And so, saving the best for last, we come to Portsmouth. Not only my birth-place, this city is steeped in history and has everything necessary to keep fans entertained between games. Positions for fan parks are numerous and obvious. Sites for base camps for visiting teams abound. Besides its naval dockyard, Portsmouth is also an international ferry port, has excellent road and rail connections and has an airport at nearby Eastleigh (sometimes called Southampton airport but not by people from Portsmouth). So is there anything that Pompey lacks………….. Oh yes, a stadium. Relocation or redevelopment of Fratton Park has been promised since the 60's and the protracted takeover of the club this summer does nothing to suggest that we are any nearer now. Plans are in place for either redevelopment or a new stadium but will it happen?

Full article: England - World Cup 2018.

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