The Real Cost of Hosting A World Cup

We all love football, right? But sometimes, a little bit of perspective is needed.

England, as you no doubt know, is competing with Mexico, the USA and other nations, to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup Finals.

Any idea how much such an undertaking might cost the government - or rather us, the taxpayers. Well, this governmental feasability study suggests costs of around £674million pounds. Ouch.

Still think it's worth it? Well, maybe it is, but spare a thought for Indonesia who have just had their bid for the 2022 World Cup finals squashed by FIFA.

The reason? Lack of governmental support. And the reason the Indonesian government wouldn't support the bid?

"The government said their main concern was the people of the country and they would not support the bid."

Good for them, I say. In a country frequently wrecked by Tsumanis and earthquakes, looking after the people is far more important than spending what amounts to around a billion US dollars on hosting a football tournament.

It's The Magic Wot Won It

It's very easy to fall back into lazy racial stereotypes, particularly when dealing with African nations.

However, the fact is that there are still many thousands of people on that continent who believe in the 'old ways' and that includes magic and voodoo.

Now, we might very well suspect that host nation South Africa has literally no chance at the 2010 World Cup Finals but, luckily, they have a secret weapon up their sleeves in the form of a bark called 'Impephu'.

Apparently, Impephu purifies the body aof harmful influences, thereby making you invincible. Which must be nice.

However, it does this by making you vomit a lot. Which is, er, not so nice.

Unfortunately FIFA have referred Impephu to the World Anti-Doping Agency, who will no doubt discover that it is, well, bark and - I don't want this to shock you - doesn't actually make you invincible at all.