Interesting thought. Would all 4 UK countries and Ireland get automatic entries to the finals tournament, or have the rules changed ? Was this part of the reason they expanded to 48 participants ? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45683469
Crossed my mind too Ern. As you were posting I added another question wondering if that's why FIFA wanted to expand the number of finalist countries to 48 from 32.
**** a UK bid. Double entry **** a joint UK & Ireland bid. It’s only being discussed because the other countries don’t have the means or facilities to stage a WC independently. That’s tough. They want us to pay for it & them to profit from it. **** ‘em, third world ****s.
I'm not opposed to a joint-bid per se, however, you do make a good point which needs to be addressed and set out from the start.
It’s a WC of Countries. The UK is not a Country, it’s not affiliated to FIFA, it should not even be considered as an option. The fact of the matter is that we have the means & facilities & the other Countries don’t. If you can’t do it on your own don’t hang onto the tails of those that can. Develop your own garden before taking profits & credit for the roses next door. It should be one nation, every time.
Even with 48 countries, you'd imagine it's doable for England to stand alone. However, I think, and could be wrong, that the other countries participation can strengthen the bid in FIFA's eyes - as it also takes the cup to new lands. Perhaps, I'm a little different on here as I don't harbour any significant dislike for the other British/Irish countries (nor any other country for that matter - just dislike certain governments, organisations and individuals).
I’ve been to Hampden for an England game. It was a grim experience. The WC shouldn’t be going to lands who don’t have the means, infrastructure or facilities. Joint bids create problems for travelling supporters & as such shouldn’t be considered. Politically. It would need funding, equally, by the relevant FAs, the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly, NI Assembly, Irish Parliament & the English Parliament. Obviously we’d need to get an English Parliament in place first so that we’d have an equal footing with our neighbours otherwise the MPs from the other parts of the UK would be sticking their hands up for us to fund the lot yet share any profits equally.
There's needs to be transparency and fairness involved from the start about who gets what and who pays for .. Although, with a WC bid, I doubt we'll see that. However, when is it decided/submitted? We might have a new broom by then.
The second sentence may be relevant to how FIFA thinks. The last point though I don't think is relevant, it's not about hating other people, we get a lot of that argument now with Brexit no doubt. But we still have to look after our own interests.
