2018,2022...2026?

The World Cup venues for the next 2 tournaments will be decided very shortly. Local pundits have been talking up Australia's chances for the 2022 tournament but in the last few weeks I've heard two analysts say that we've got no chance.

Firstly, there's money. Put simply, the USA outstrips everybody when it comes to size of venues and the TV revenue they can generate. The latter is particularly dependent on which timezone the event is held on. In contrast, according to the latest reports, Australia will generate the least income.

Secondly, and this is the one not often mentioned as everyone fixates on 2018 and 2022, China is apparently bidding for the 2026 World Cup. If that's so, it's hard to see FIFA not awarding it to them and therefore means that there is no way that two World Cups in succession will be awarded to the Asian zone. QED as my maths teacher used to say. For you young folks that's Latin for Quite Easily Done.

But let's see if something other than money calls the shots. I for one, am not holding my breath. England and the USA are my tips.