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Philly Pushes to Host 2018, 2022 World Cup Soccer Tournament

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - With a new professional soccer team in the Delaware Valley, the region is fully embracing the "other" football. Now, efforts are underway to bring the sport's greatest event and biggest stars to the city.

The World Cup needs a home in 2018 and 2022, so some in Philadelphia are asking, why not us?

Larry Needle is with the Philadelphia Sports Congress:

"We have now brought in more than 80,000 signatures in support of Philadelphia and are the number one city at this moment."

Needle believes that Philly is the frontrunner to win the US bid for a number of reasons:

"When you consider Lincoln Financial Field, our geography, the kind of soccer market that we have, the fact that we're the number four media market in the country."

FIFA will select the host cities on December 2nd, but first Philadelphia must secure the US bid.

To show your support, text to "Philly" to 22442.

Reported by Mike Dougherty, KYW Newsradio.

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