By Michael Ventura
DNAinfo Senior Editor
MANHATTAN — World Cup soccer could be coming back to New York City.
A bid was to be submitted Friday by U.S. soccer officials to bring the World Cup to the United States in either 2018 or 2022. If approved, that would bring a handful of games to Manhattan's backyard.
"This region would host up to six matches," Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who's on the USA Bid Committee for the World Cup, said Friday during his weekly radio show. "These sporting events are enormous."
The new Meadowlands stadium could serve as the venue, Bloomberg said. The last time the World Cup came to the U.S., in 1994, games were held at the Meadowlands, but generated $100 million for the city.
"It would bring a lot of business," Bloomberg said, if the tournament came here. "It would be great for the city. It makes a lot of money."
The 2010 World Cup is being held in South Africa, which Bloomberg said was "enormous" for them.
"Whether they're getting the tourists they thought they were getting, I don't know," he said. "We would do very well."
The bid is to be submitted Friday at the headquarters of FIFA, the international soccer governing body, in Zurich, Switzerland. The U.S. is up against eight other countries.
After the bids are submitted, a review process begins of each country. The winners will be announced on Dec. 2.
A promotional video for the US Bid contains scenes from New York City, including people playing soccer in front of the Unisphere in Queens.
