Australia is making a strong bid to host the 2020 FIFA World Cup. The country has even solicited actress Nicole Kidman and actor Hugh Jackman to appear in video ads as ambassadors for the country’s efforts.
In its campaign, Australia pitches its strong tourist appeal and its close location to Asia as marketing points. It will be fighting a U.S. desire to hold the games for what would be a second time.
There are drawbacks, however, to allowing Australia to be the host of the tournament. It would be winter when the games take place there. The Australian time zone is not friendly to television viewers in Africa, Europe, or the Americas. Thirdly, it is a very long trip for many fans and players.
Of course, the enthusiasts from Australia attempt to downplay the negatives by declaring that by 2020 Asia will have the largest television audience and broadcasting companies will want to reach them on their time zone, which they will with live broadcasts from Australia.
Australia, like many other possible venues has stadium issues. Australian Football is in the position of denying use of their stadiums without gainful financial compensation. So, it is unknown where the games would be played. This is where the U.S. enters the fray, with access to all sorts of huge arenas and stadiums; this problem is nonexistent if the tournament were held in America.
This seems the major problem for Australia, as it appears that right now they will fall shy of the FIFA requirement for 12 stadiums.