Since April, city officials have been pushing -- hard -- to land the Federation Internationale de Football Association's World Cup, either in 2018 or 2022. Matter of fact, they're even asking locals to sign a petition demanding FIFA bring the soccer matches to Dallas; so far, looks like 6,556 have scribbled their virtual John Hancocks in the hopes of leap-frogging Dallas over the 26 other U.S. cities still in the running.
The city council will get an update on efforts to bring the games to the Cotton Bowl and Cowboys Stadium this Wednesday, matter of fact. Because even though FIFA won't announce the 2018 host cities till December 2010, host city and stadium agreements are due to the USA Bid Committee by the end of the month. That's because the USABC is expected to announce its list of 18 finalists sometime next month, followed by its final submission in May. And while the host city has to provide for everything (from the stadiums to staffing to security to advertising the games), the city expects to reap millions in return for its infrastructure and investment: "Total economic impact for one Host City is projected to be $300 - $500 million," says the council's briefing, which lists possible ways we'll wind up paying for all the attendant necessities.
And, you might as well let Arlington know now: "If any games are played at Cowboys Stadium, Dallas will still be considered the Host City." Ooof.