There’s just one problem: Financial muscle doesn’t much impress international soccer officials, who say their bid decisions are driven more by a concern for parity than profit.<\/p>\n
“You may be confusing the world of football with the IMF or the World Bank,” says Michel Platini, a top executive of FIFA, the international governing body of international soccer.<\/p>\n
“When it comes to decision-making in international football,” he says, “the U.S., like Germany or China, has as much power as San Marino, Vanuatu or Belize.” (Ouch!)<\/p>\n
One of the misconceptions Americans tend to make about the World Cup is that its economics are similar to those that guide the Olympics. But there’s a big difference: the Olympics like to take in lots of money because they use the funds to support impoverished sports like swimming, which can’t support themselves. The World Cup, however, is a showcase for professional athletes who earn decent to fantastic salaries in private leagues around the world. This sport doesn’t count on the tournament for its livelihood.<\/p>\n