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US chief admits 2018 bid could be withdrawn
By Pete Hayman
US Soccer president Sunil Gulati has admitted that its bid to stage the 2018 World Cup could be withdrawn amid growing opinion that the event should be held in Europe.
According to Gulati, a "number of members of [FIFA's executive committee]" favour the selection of a European nation after Brazil and South Africa were awarded the 2014 and 2010 events respectively. In June, Football Federation Australia (FFA) revealed that it was pulling out of the 2018 race in order to concentrate solely on securing the 2022 World Cup. Japan has also withdrawn its 2018 bid.
Gulati said: "We haven't been asked to withdraw but I acknowledge, and we have really from the beginning, that there is a sentiment with a number of members of the [executive committee] that 2018 should be in Europe. "If at some point between now and 2 December we think it's in our best interest to do that, after consultation with the FIFA president or the UEFA president, then we would make that decision."
Australia and Japan are competing with Qatar and South Korea for the right to host the 2022 World Cup, with England; Spain and Portugal; Russia; and Belgium and Holland vying for the 2018 tournament.
US Soccer president Sunil Gulati has admitted that its bid to stage the 2018 World Cup could be withdrawn amid growing opinion that the event should be held in Europe.
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