Regan eyes British bid to host global showpiece
SFA chief sets his sights on football’s showpiece
STEWART REGAN believes forming part of a British bid could allow Scotland to host the World Cup Finals if newly elected FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s plan to let regions stage the tournament gets the go-ahead.
In his manifesto, Infantino declared his intention to expand from 32 to a 40-team World Cup by 2026 and introduce the option of several countries — instead of one or two — enjoying the honour of organising the event.
The SFA chief executive, speaking in Prague where Gordon Strachan’s team earned a 1-0 friendly victory over the Czech Republic on Thursday, said that could pave the way for Scotland to assist with hosting a Finals.
Regan, who voted for Infantino in the presidency election, explained: ‘You can imagine a British bid, for example, and given the profile of stadia we’ve got that might actually suit Scotland to be part of something like that. And if an opportunity came along then I am sure it would be one that we would be interested to find out more about.
‘At the moment, it’s just an idea that Gianni has thrown out there when he put himself forward. The detail (is lacking) on how it might work or if the new FIFA council would even support it but, as the thing develops, it’s certainly an attractive proposition to the smaller countries.’
Infantino, the former UEFA general secretary, was influential in the European Championships expansion from 16 to 24 nations for the upcoming France-hosted Finals, and in taking the 2020 renewal around the continent.
Hampden is hosting three group matches and one last-16 clash in a tournament spread between 13 cities in 12 countries.
London won the right to stage semi-finals and the final, while Dublin also earned fixtures.
Regan explained: ‘Gianni was instrumental in developing the Euro 2020 concept, which initially started out as a celebration of the 60 years of European football.
‘He said that could work at a global level for the World Cup.
‘Some of the smaller countries around the world would never have the chance of competing for a World Cup because they don’t have the infrastructure, the stadia and don’t have the resources to bid for a World Cup on their own.
‘England reportedly spent £18million just bidding for the World Cup that they didn’t get last time round; a small country could never afford to bid for that.
‘But if you had a cluster of countries that were able to come together and a World Cup was awarded to a region or zone and you had maybe five, 10, countries all within striking distance of each other hosting the World Cup, it might make it a very different proposition. You’d have thought Britain would be our “natural region”, as such.’
Infantino has denied promising the 2026 gig to the USA, who along with CONCACAF’S Mexico and Canada are sure to be involved in the bidding for those Finals. Infantino has promised to begin that process within the next two months.
The English FA has already hinted at bidding for the 2030 Finals while a collective of south east Asian nations and an Australia/New Zealand alliance are also in the frame. The bidding process for 2026 is already delayed as a result of the welter of corruption investigations and scandals to beset FIFA during the last 18 months.
Meanwhile, Regan hopes Infantino can prove an ally for Scottish interests as heavyweight clubs in the elite nations turn up the heat on UEFA to revamp the Champions League. The biggest clubs want a new format in line with a new TV deal in 2018/19 that would ensure a closed shop for the group stages of the tournament.
It would leave champions from smaller nations with up to 10 games to play in seeded knockout rounds for the right to join them.
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell and the SPFL’s Neil Doncaster have warned of grave financial consequences for Scottish clubs if the major nations get their way. Regan has stressed the importance of Scotland having a voice in the corridors of power in Switzerland.
‘It’s concerning and that’s why the SPFL and senior clubs are doing their utmost to be part of discussions,’ said Regan.
‘Having discussed it with Gianni, he played a key role in developing the “champions route” and is still very supportive of it.
‘He’s still a very influential guy. We’ll use whatever relationships we’ve got to maintain the status quo, use our network where we can to protect Scotland’s position.
‘It’s important for Scottish football to have access to playing with the bigger teams.’
Regan will have opportunity to discuss matters of Scottish interest on May 3 at the UEFA Congress in Budapest, where Kosovo’s case for membership will be considered.
The SFA chief reported he would be ‘very surprised’ if the application was not successful.
Meanwhile, the SFA’s security and integrity officer Peter McLaughlin will be closely monitoring security plans for Scotland playing France on Saturday, June 4. Metz hosts the friendly six days before the kick-off of a Euro 2016 tournament for which there are major concerns in the wake of the terrorist outrages in Paris and Brussels.
‘You are going to have security concerns wherever you go, given the world we live in and what we’ve seen in Brussels and last year in France,’ said Regan. ‘Security for all major events is going to be heightened while we are in this climate.
‘Given that Euro 2016 is in France and Paris is the final, there are huge security increases and improvements being made.’
Scotland are likely to play a fifth friendly of 2016 to close out the international year. A spare date the midweek after the World Cup qualifier against England on Friday, November 11 could be utilised.
Regan said: ‘We’re just looking at what the options might be. It would be nice to have some kind of friendly match in that period at home.’
It might actually suit Scotland to become part of any British bid