November 17 – A petition has been launched by football fans in San Diego to support the city’s bid to be part of the World Cup if the United States is chosen to host the 2018 or 2022 tournament.
Supporters hope that 50,000 San Diegans will sign the petition and help persuade the US Bid Committee to choose them from the 27 cities who are on the short-list for inclusion.
The petition announced by Mayor Jerry Sanders at the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park.
He was joined by officials from the San Diego Sports Commission, San Diego Lodging Industry Association, San Diego County Hotel-Motel Association and San Diego Surf Soccer Club.
The San Diego City Council is expected today to formally put itself forward.
The US Bid Committee will narrow the list of candidates down to 18 next month.
Among those backing San Diego’s campaign is Roy Lassiter, a member of the US squad that played in the 1998 World Cup in France and who is now a youth coach in the Californian city.
He said: ”For a youth player to go and watch would change their mentality of the game.
“It would give them inspiration to go forward to one day be a part of that event.
“When you are on that field, you can’t hear your own teammates talk, so its really phenomenal environment.”
City officials estimate 72,000 children and adults play football in San Diego County.
San Diego has two major stadiums that would be capable of hosting World Cup matches.
There is the Qualcomm Stadium, home to NFL side San Diego Chargers, and which has a capacity of 71,294.
It hosted several major football matches, including the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and the US Cup – an international invitational tournament – as well as many international friendly matches involving Mexico, including a friendly there in June 2008 against Argentina which attracted a crowd of 68,498.
The Stadium was also previously the home ground of the San Diego Sockers, a former member of the North American Soccer League (NASL).
The other venue that might be considered is the Wonder Bread Stadium, who have recently been holding discussions with the Chargers.
The cost for each US city hosting World Cup matches is estimated at $12 million (£7 million) to $15 million (£9 million).
But if the World Cup comes to the city, it could also brig $300 (£178 million) to $500 million (£298 million) in tourism revenue, along with some 8,000 jobs, officials estimate.