Despite the likelihood that world governing body FIFA will favour going back to Europe for that tournament, David Downs, the executive director of the US bid, said it has not given up hope of hosting in 2018.

 

 

The US is one of 11 contenders that has formally declared its desire to host the World Cup in either 2018 or 2022.

 

The World Cup will be in South Africa in 2010 and Brazil in 2014, the first time it has left Europe for consecutive tournaments.

 

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has already said there is a "general understanding" that Europe will play host in 2018, making 2022 a more realistic option for the US.

 

England are the favourites to host 2018 ahead of the other European contenders, Russia and joint bids from Spain and Portugal and Holland and Belgium.

 

Downs said: "It may turn out to be that way.

 

"If that would be the case, it would not bother us.

 

"But we're not giving up on 2018 by any stretch."

 

FIFA's ruling Executive Committee will decide on both bids in December 2010.

 

The US has only hosted one World Cup, and the 1994 event drew a record 3.59 million fans.

 

The 2018 or 2022 World Cup would be an even bigger success, Downs predicted, estimating ticket sales could easily reach five million.

 

Downs said: "If hosting the World Cup would enfranchise more generations, that would impact the entire sport for years to come.

 

"People care [about football] here, in enormous numbers."

 

Downs has been visiting possible sites for a US World Cup during the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which reaches its climax on Sunday at the Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, when the US will play Mexico in the final.

 

The three-week tournament used 13 sites throughout the country, including the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

 

The US. bid will include 18 stadiums, and Downs expects there would be 12 to 14 sites for an American World Cup.

 

Though the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas have some of the older stadiums under consideration, Downs said he cannot imagine a U.S. bid without games in California.

 

There has been talk of new arenas in both cities, and Downs said the bid committee will make clear to FIFA that changes could be made as stadiums are built or updated.

 

Besides the European countries, the other bidders for 2018 are Australia, Indonesia, Japan and Mexico.

 

Qatar and South Korea are bidding for just the 2022 World Cup.

 

Downs said: "Given the amount of effort we have to put in for this bid, to know if we didn't get 2018 that we have a fighting chance for 2022 is extremely comforting.

 

"It would be heartbreaking to not get 2018 and be told, 'Go away, don't come back for 20 years."'