FIFA president Seth Blatter announced Saturday that the Canadian Soccer Association is bidding for the 2007 Women’s World, following the success of the under-19 women’s championships.
Sunday’s under-19 championship final between Canada and the U.S. at the 60,000-seat Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton was a sell-out.
“What has happened in this country?” said Blatter. “In my 37 years in FIFA I have never witnessed such enthusiasm”.
He said there will likely be other bids from other countries to host the event but he hinted that Canada’s exceptional job of hosting the under-19 event the past two weeks will be duly noted.
He added that by selling out the final in the under-19 competition, Canada may have bought itself an “entry ticket” to the senior event.
Andy Sharpe, president of the Canadian Soccer Association, said his board made the decision earlier Saturday.
He sad, “we will commence immediately to keep the momentum going forward from this competition. I’m telling you we’re going to win this bid and bring women’s world cup soccer to Canada in 2007”.
Paul Devillers, Canada’s secretary of state for sport, said Ottawa supports the bid.
“We’re very encouraged with the reaction from this under-19 world championship and we’ll have to be working with the Canadian Soccer Association as a partner. We’re attempting to come up with a comprehensive hosting strategy”, he said.
The under-19 championships were held in Edmonton, Vancouver and Victoria, B.C.
Sharpe said Edmonton will be one of the host cities while officials said Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal are other possibilities.
Kevan Pipe, the Canadian Soccer Association’s chief operating officer said the event could cost more than double the $7 million it cost to host the under-19 event.
He said Canada will also make a pitch for the 2005 Gold Cup, but planning is in its infancy.
