STYSA CONFIRMS HAMMOND BID FOR 2018 WORLD CUP
HAMMOND, Louisiana — The South Tangi Youth Soccer Association today submitted a bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup, putting Hammond in contention against the likes of England, Russia, and the United States in hosting the world’s largest sporting event.
In 2009 FIFA President Sepp Blatter quashed rumors of Hammond hosting the tournament, however recent plans to construct a $15.5 million recreational complex featuring 21 soccer fields at the I-12/Airport Road interchange made a significant improvement to the city’s bid.
“21 soccer fields will allow us to host all 64 matches right here in our backyard,” said Mayor Mayson Foster, official spokesman of the Hammond’s 2018 bid team.
While England are presumed favorites to host the tournament, Foster believes the confirmation of a splash park at the future recreational complex “does wonders for our chances.”
“And that’s not all,” Foster continued, “The one thing we’ve really got going for us is our location in the world. Hammond is at the crossroads of the south — the intersection of two major interstate highways. There are 84 interstates in all. We’ve got the two very best of them all. Right here in our own backyard.”
FIFA will announce hosts for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments in December.
1 year ago