US PRESIDENT OBAMA TO ATTEND WORLD CUP OPENING CEREMONIES

US President Barack Obama has accepted an invitation from FIFA head Sepp Blatter to attend the opening ceremonies for the 2010 World Cup soccer tournament.  Obama will be the first US President to attend the opening ceremonies for a World Cup not hosted on US soil.  The 2010 World Cup gets underway in South Africa next June.

The symbolism of attending the first World Cup hosted on the African continent was certainly not lost on Obama.  Obama’s late father was of Kenyan decent, further strengthening his ties to the region.  FIFA had Blatter gave the following announcement at a media briefing:

“The World Cup in Africa will go well, there is no doubt. And the man who said, 'Yes we can do it,' will be there. President Obama has accepted an invitation to the opening ceremony. Of course the schedule of heads of state can change, but he has said he will be there if he can."

Obama’s trip has another upside—he likely sees the World Cup as an opportunity to mend fences with Europe after some trying times during the Bush administration.  It’s a good chance to negate the stereotype that Americans are often disdainful of soccer, while demonstrating a willingness to be part of the ‘world community’ at a major international sporting event.

Now Obama needs to hope that he’ll have a soccer team to root for.  The US team is still in decent shape to qualify for its sixth straight World Cup.  Following a 3-1 loss to Costa Rica in early June, the US team defeated Honduras on June 6^th.  They now must head to Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca on August 12th where they’re 0-22-1.  They’ll then return home to play El Salvador in Salt Lake City, Utah on September 5^th and have a rematch against Costa Rica in Washington DC on October 14^th.  The US will be all but guaranteed a spot in the World Cup should they win all of their home matches, a strong probability since they’re 16-0-1 since 2001 in games on American soil. 

Then-President Bill Clinton made an appearance at the 1994 World Cup hosted by the United States, but Obama’s willingness to travel to South Africa for the opening of the event will no doubt be met with approval by FIFA executives and members.  This is important not only for improved international relations but to bolster the chances of the United States to host the 2018 World Cup.