Saturday, August 21, 2010

England set for World Cup visit

David Beckham launches the England bid
David Beckham is at the centre of England's World Cup bid

Fifa inspectors will begin a four-day trip to Manchester, Sunderland, London and Newcastle as England continue their quest to host the 2018 World Cup.

Facilities and stadiums from the 12 candidate host cities, including Russia and Australia, are being assessed.

"We are looking forward to receiving the inspection team and to a positive week for our bid," said England 2018 bid chief executive Andy Anson.

The hosts for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will be revealed on 2 December.

England face stiff opposition in the battle to stage the sport's premier tournament in eight years with the Russians considered by many to be one of the favourites to succeed.

Russia was visited most recently by the international governing body's inspection team, led by the president of the Chilean football federation, Harold Mayne-Nicholls.

With trips to 2022 hopefuls Japan, South Korea and Australia completed, Fifa now travels to England for four days, before moving on to look at the facilities of the joint Spain-Portugal bid and then the US and Qatar in September.

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Anson, who is overseeing England's bid, added: "We believe we are presenting the best of English facilities and an honest reflection of what we are offering across the length and breadth of the country.

"All candidate host cities have a valuable part to play during this week and they have all been exceptionally supportive and co-operative during our planning.

"We believe our bid book reflects a strong proposal to Fifa from a country that can deliver on facilities, commercial opportunities and general infrastructure, for the overall benefit of the tournament, its players and officials and the fans.

Paul the Octopus backs England 2018 bid

"England's bid is based around stadiums and facilities that are already in place and already being used on a regular basis and so there is minimal construction and planning required."

England have a number of official ambassadors backing its campaign with Paul the 'psychic' octopus recently joining the list which include England players David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand, 2008 Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, and musicians Noel Gallagher and Sting.

The two-year-old Weymouth-born but German based cephalopod became a global celebrity during the World Cup in the summer for predicting results in South Africa.

He correctly predicted the outcomes of all seven of Germany's games - including the 4-1 demolition of England for a place in the quarter-finals - plus the Spain-Netherlands final.

Potenshöjande medel -

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