Former U.S. president Bill Clinton made an impassioned plea to bring back the World Cup to America in 2022.
In an op-ed piece distributed by the USA Bid Committee this week, the ex-president spoke of the impressions made on him in South Africa this summer, including the USA's Round of 16 defeat at the hands of Ghana.
"I had changed my schedule to attend the game, following an exhilarating U.S. win over Algeria in the first round. Even though Ghana defeated the U.S., I was proud of our team. They played well and fought to the very end."
Clinton then went on praise soccer's power to bring global unity, even if only for one month every four years.
"For 30 days, fans from all nations put aside their differences to embrace a shared love for a game that has been bringing people together for generations."
Clinton was in office when the United States hosted the World Cup in 1994, and even back then as he was present at the matches, the passion of the game made him a believer in its future in the U.S.
"It was the first time -- and so far, the last time -- that World Cup games were played on American soil. I’m trying to change that by serving as the Honorary Chairman of the USA Bid Committee to bring the World Cup back in 2022.
Clinton also noted the growth of the game in the U.S. since the 1994 World Cup.
"The level of enthusiasm for the game has never been greater across America. Thanks in good part to the opportunity FIFA gave us to host the games in 1994, we have become a nation of footballers, young and old.
"The last 16 years have seen the creation of the MLS professional league, an expansion of the game’s United States fan base to more than 90 million and now a roster of four million registered youth players."
Clinton then went on to recognize the importance of the game from a business standpoint.
"Our bid promises not only to uphold the great legacy of the World Cup but also to advance global growth by creating new opportunities for the world’s soccer economy, including greater television and sponsorship rights, increased franchise and team values and greater investment in player development."
As a consequence of the lucrative business that a World Cup can be, Clinton sees the positive global impact that a World Cup in the U.S. could deliver.
"Our bid will mobilize American citizens and citizens around the globe to do more to address the economic, social and environmental challenges facing our world in the 21st century. If awarded the opportunity, we will use the 2022 World Cup as a platform to assist those less fortunate and promote environmental sustainability in line with the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals."
So while winning and losing on the field is great for a World Cup, Clinton believes the financial windfall would help "build a world with more winners."
"Our bid will do just that. In 1988 FIFA had the foresight to recognize the potential of the United States. Twenty-two years later, we are ready to demonstrate to the world how much more the United States has to offer and how far our nation is willing to go to deliver an outstanding tournament.
"If the United States is selected to host the FIFA World Cup, we will be extremely privileged -- and ready -- to honor the sport of soccer and all that it represents for the fan, for the game and for the world."
