Bids are being put in this year. It's supposed to go to South America, but FIFA have stated that if South America isn't ready they'll take bids from the other confederations.
South America:
Brazil (Official)
Colombia (Official)
Argentina & Chile (Possible)
Venezuela (Possible)
North America:
United States (Stand-by)
Asia:
Australia (Stand-by)
Brazil looks the strong favorite, but the stadiums in Brazil are in really bad shape (outwith the Maracana which is being redeveloped for the 2007 PanAmerican Games, and the Beira-Rio which Inter have worked their asses off getting up to World Cup standards). Brazil is getting a new stadium, but it's in Rio which is where the Maracana is and FIFA doesn't like using 2 stadiums in one city because it causes horrible gridlock.
Argentina obviously has big stadiums (again, too many in one city though) and Chile has some decent ones.
Venezuela is getting seven new stadiums between now and 2014.
Colombia's stadiums would require heavy redevelopment, and with FARC running around I can't see them getting it.
Australia and the United States could host it without much of a problem which is why they're on stand-by. England could possibly be there aswell, but they're looking to win 2018 outright.
South America:
Brazil (Official)
Colombia (Official)
Argentina & Chile (Possible)
Venezuela (Possible)
North America:
United States (Stand-by)
Asia:
Australia (Stand-by)
Brazil looks the strong favorite, but the stadiums in Brazil are in really bad shape (outwith the Maracana which is being redeveloped for the 2007 PanAmerican Games, and the Beira-Rio which Inter have worked their asses off getting up to World Cup standards). Brazil is getting a new stadium, but it's in Rio which is where the Maracana is and FIFA doesn't like using 2 stadiums in one city because it causes horrible gridlock.
Argentina obviously has big stadiums (again, too many in one city though) and Chile has some decent ones.
Venezuela is getting seven new stadiums between now and 2014.
Colombia's stadiums would require heavy redevelopment, and with FARC running around I can't see them getting it.
Australia and the United States could host it without much of a problem which is why they're on stand-by. England could possibly be there aswell, but they're looking to win 2018 outright.