When was the last time a host nation was excited for the World Cup?
People complain a lot in this sub about how the US and Canada (and to some extent Mexico) just aren't hyped, and that the word on the street in the host cities is that they dread it instead of looking forward to it. I refuse to believe that, but I also refuse to follow along with this narrative.
I read a thread here that compared it to SA 2010 and how "everyone was hyped for that". I remember it differently, some of the games had a lot of empty seats, the locals were concerned about these mega stadiums that would later become ghost stadiums etc. Same goes with Brazil 2014, while I loved the energy of that tournament, there was so much backlash from the locals about how expensive it would be etc etc. What the Russians and the Qataris felt, I have no idea.
So, maybe the correct answer is 2006?