The World Cup final could have been hosted in Manhattan.Over a billion people watched Spain dethrone Argentina as MetLife Stadium brought the eyes of the world to New Jersey for the biggest sporting event on the planet.MetLife Stadium landed the honor of hosting the World Cup finalGettyThe home of the Jets and Giants since 2010, the $1.6 billion arena can hold more than 80,000 fans and also hosted the biggest game in football at Super Bowl XLVIII.Starting life as Meadowlands, the arena replaced the ageing Giants Stadium.But it could have been so different.Jets almost moved to ManhattanAfter buying the team in 2000, Jets owner Woody Johnson explored the possibility of building a home of his own.The proposed stadium — known as West Side Stadium or the New York Sports and Convention Center — was to be built above the rail yards between West 30th and West 33rd Street.A multi-use venue with a roof and convention hall, the arena was supposed to help regenerate the Far West Side.Olympic ready, the capacity was set to be around 75,000 for NFL games and could have risen to 85,000 if the 2012 Summer Olympics was awarded to New York.The benefits are obvious. A New York address and new identity, as well as non-gameday revenue in one of the cultural capitals of the world.Hudson Yards was also in need of a makeover.As for downsides, cost and powerful opponents.Infrastructure for the $2.2 billion project would have run into a bill for hundreds of millions and Cablevision, which owned Madison Square Garden at the time, didn’t want a rival a few blocks away.Spain’s triumph could have taken places across the riverGettyMetLife is one of the best stadiums in the worldGettyView Tweet: https://t.co/FwTWq6rcQQThe Jets offered to pay $1.6 billion toward the build which dwarfed the most expensive stadium in the United States at the time — Chicago’s $630 million Soldier Field redevelopment.Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver ultimately dealt the final blow in 2005.“Am I supposed to turn my back on Lower Manhattan as it struggles to recover?” he said. “For what? A stadium? For the hope of bringing the Olympics to New York City?”The New York State Public Authorities Control Board failed to approve state funding and New York’s Olympic bid fell apart. The project was dead.Mayor Michael Bloomberg wanted the stadium to form part of his legacy and claimed opponents would have to answer for their decision.“Without it, we won’t have the catalyst for the growth of this neighborhood, and we’ll have to revise our plans to make up for it,” he said. “This delay will be measured in years, not months.”After licking his wounds, Johnson partnered up with the Giants and MetLife Stadium was born.The Jets franchise is worth an estimate $8.1 billion per Forbes. That number would be significantly higher if West Side Stadium went ahead.Unfortunately, it will always be a case of what could have been. Much like Aaron Rodgers tearing his Achilles on debut.NFL Stadium StatusOn the Move – Why is Roger Goodell allowing three of NFL’s most famous teams to build $8.8bn new homes and ditch diehard fans?Chicago Bears – NFL’s second-oldest team admits defeat as $5bn relocation from 102-year-old stadium confirmed in statementKansas City Chiefs – Chiefs owner issues response as Kansas City’s $4bn cross-state relocation plan hits roadblockJacksonville Jaguars – $5.6bn NFL team’s 150-mile relocation triggers unique rule exemption amid CBA conflictCleveland Browns – $2.6bn NFL stadium fraught with drama finally makes breakthrough as Super Bowl dream teasedTennessee Titans – Super Bowl 2030 host is unopened $2.2bn ‘cookie-cutter’ stadium that will be NFL’s smallest