World Cup 2018 Bid: Reading Host City.

[G'La]

The Government has announced that they would back The FA in a bid to host the 2018 World Cup in England. It got me thinking what cities / grounds would stage matches and could the Madejski stadium compete with other grounds in the country given the planned extensions.

Grounds used for Euro 96 were Wembley, Villa Park, Anfield, Old Trafford, St. James Park, City Ground, Hillsborough and Elland Road. Today you’d have to discount the latter three grounds as they’re past their best (unless of course major updating takes place).

In the 2002 World Cup an unbelievable total of 20 stadiums whereas 12 were used in Germany 2006 which I guess would be about the number we’d go for here. Baring in mind only one city can have two stadiums to host games, which grounds around the country do you think will host matches in a successful 2018 World Cup bid and do you think the Mad Stad can compete?

My view...

100% certain…
Wembley, Old Trafford, Anfield (or Stanley Park), Villa Park, St James Park

London would probably given the role as hosting two grounds (Wembley being one), either…
Emirates or 2012 Olympic Stadium

Any 6 from…
Madejski, St Marys, Richo Arena, Pride Park, Stadium of Light, Walkers, Reebok, Riverside, Stadium MK.

[The_Cat]

Go to General Football, already a thread there about it.

[G'La]

Gutted! My first ever Dodd!