Bring World Cup to us, plead US senators

July 3, 2010 - 11:04AM

Twenty-six US senators urged FIFA on Friday to let the United States host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022, citing energised excitement for the sport 16 years after the country last hosted the event.

"We can think of no better way to show America's enthusiasm for the sport than to again play gracious host to the world's athletes and spectators in the coming years," the lawmakers wrote to FIFA chief Sepp Blatter.

"With memories of the successful World Cup in 1994, we hope to be given the opportunity to provide the coming generation with an event that is greater in scale and grander than any before," said the group, which comprised Democrats and Republicans.
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The US is bidding against Australia for the 2022 World Cup.

The World Cup in South Africa has generated more interest among US audiences than ever before, with a record 19.4 million US television viewers watching the United States lose 2-1 to Ghana, according to ratings service Nielsen.

That figure beat out the 18.1 million viewers for the 1994 Italy-Brazil World Cup final.

© 2010 AFP

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