US Soccer President Sunil Gulati Criticizes FIFA World Cup Bidding Process

US Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati has criticized the bidding process for the FIFA World Cup 2022, and has called for more transparency and better communication to help improve the process in future years.

Gulati was speaking with the Associated Press, where he said:

“The process needs to be far more transparent as far as what matters. What’s OK. What’s within the rules and what’s not.

“In my view, if you’re going to have a technical part of the bid, the technical part should be given some weight.

“If you’re going to send people around and do an analysis of stadiums and conditions and government commitments and all of that, then that should have a significant role in final bid process.

“If it’s only about going to new frontiers, OK. But let’s know that going in.

“If it’s about maximizing revenue, let’s know that going in. Whatever. I think that needs to be far more clear.”

The controversy regarding FIFA World Cup 2022 continued last week when a source revealed that FIFA is seriously considering changing the date of the 2022 summer World Cup to November-December 2022.

Gulati is a recent addition to the FIFA Executive Committee, and has expressed an interest in having the US bid for the 2026 World Cup despite speculation that China is an almost sure bet to host the tournament.

Gulati’s criticism is on point, but whether or not he’ll have the influence to help influence change among the powers that be within the FIFA Executive Committee remains to be seen. But he’s saying all the right things so far.