US Soccer to place bid for World Cup

Sunil Gulati, president of U.S. Soccer, announced Monday that the U.S. Soccer Federation has officially declared interest in hosting either the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cups.

The federation will now put together a team to prepare the country’s official proposal.

The bid process will span 16 months with May 2010 set as a deadline for all paperwork. At that point, FIFA’s 24-man Executive Committee will deliberate all bids and name the hosts for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in December 2010.

Many countries will submit proposals. One of few initial requirements to submit a bid is that the country have 12 stadiums with 40,000-seat minimum capacities to host group-stage play, and a capacity of 80,000 for the opening and final matches.

The country must also have the high standards for TV broadcasting, information and telecommunications technology.

Brazil was recently selected as host of the 2014 World Cup.