What will it mean for Irish fans?

IT IS not just the bidding nations that will be waiting anxiously for today’s announcements — fans from all over the world will be wondering where they will be spending their summers in 2018 and 2022, too.

For Irish supporters, England should be the dream destination for 2018. Plenty already know their way to Old Trafford and Wembley, and few will be unable to find some relatives to stay with in London, Birmingham or the NorthWest.

Travel is cheap and well-established, we speak the same language (more or less) and food and drink should not be too unfamiliar.

The same cannot be said for Russia, especially or Spain/Portugal and Holland/Belgium. Of course there is an Irish bar in most parts of the world, but Nizhny Novgorod? Not sure about that.

Spain and Portugal would guarantee sunshine, of course, and your Euros are always welcome in every bar, as they will be in Holland and Belgium.

But what about 2022? Whichever way you look at it, this will be a World Cup for the seasoned traveller. America and Australia have many of the advantages of an English tournament, with so many Irish communities and connections. But they are huge countries with massive logistical challenges, especially as FIFA now insist on moving each team around the country for every game.

Qatar would be the most compact tournament, in a country less than half the size of Munster, but is as hot as a pizza-oven in midsummer, while both Japan and Korea bring a multitude of challenges to the Irish fan.

Perhaps the FAI should put in a late bid – or given the economic situation, maybe not!