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FIFA is about to make their selection for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, and Kansas City is one of the leaders to be a host city in the bid to bring the event to the U.S.

For those of you still ignoring learning about soccer, the FIFA World Cup is by far the world's largest and sporting event. There are a lot of statistics about the millions and billions of dollars generated for host cities and spent by traveling fans (and fans DO travel for the World Cup), but in reality it's a month-long par-tay.The last time the event was in the U.S. was 1994, which was the highest attended and most profitable cup in history.

This is basically how it works: Kansas City would be one of a pool of 18 host cities where matches would be held. Arrowhead is obviously the game site. Teams would live and train in a series of satellite locations (Lawrence, Overland Park, St. Joseph, etc.) before games to adjust to the summer heat and time zone. Over a period of few weeks, the region could see $500 million pumped into the economy and thousands of new jobs.

So you can read the extreme details yourself, below are links to download the Kansas City proposal, the ERA final report (think overall logistics for the U.S.), the Addendum (event location logistics), the official press release. Below I've embedded the presentation that David Ficklin from OnGoal gave to a group media and blog types at the Wizard's facility:

Kansas City Proposal PDF

ERA Final Report PDF

Addendum PDF

Press Release DOC

I was initially pretty skeptical of Kansas City having a shot, because of all the usual reasons (hotel space, transportation, security, regional un-sexiness). But the organizers make a pretty good case. Here is why I can get behind this.

• Funding to make it happen is raised privately through sponsorships. Think a $10 million investment (at no cost to tax payers) for a $500 million payoff for the local and regional economy.
• The satellite locations would ease the pressure of having enough hotel space for fans, and benefit the MoKan region - not just Kansas City proper.
• FIFA + the local committee would be responsible for organizing transportation for fans. We're not banking on light rail or entirely on the KCMO government.
• Security, similar to the Olympics, would take years of planning and be a joint effort with FIFA and all levels of government.
• The public "fan fest" events are all FREE
• Some KC landmarks would see hot action (Volker Park, Liberty Memorial, Sprint Center, Union Station, Kauffman Center and Bartle Hall)

Let's be realistic. The 2018 bid will probably see the World Cup back in Europe... but we have a solid chance at landing 2022.

This could be the kind of thing that changes the face of our region for years. Our soccer community is passionate, and we have a great MLS franchise. The Wizards are actually the most successful KC sports team in recent history.

The final pool of 18 host cities will be chosen in December 2009. That's NEXT WEEK! You can keep Kansas City in the running by signing the online petition at www.goUSAbid.com/kc.

As of last week, we were in sixth place out of 27 cities. KC is even beating ginormous metro areas like Miami, Dallas, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles and D.C. We're even way ahead of regional competitors Denver and St. Louis.

It's a 30-second investment for a potential couple of decades of payoff.