12/02/2007

Government to support 2018 World Cup bid

The government would support a bid by England to host the World Cup in 2018, it has been revealed.

A report published by the Treasury states that England is well placed to stage the competition.

Chancellor Gordon Brown, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell and Sports Minister Richard Caborn toured the new Wembley Stadium on Monday.

Mr Brown said: "By 2018, it will be more than 50 years since England first hosted the World Cup, and I believe it is time the tournament returned to the nation which gave football to the world.

"With the Olympics in London in 2012, hosting the World Cup in 2018 would make the next decade the greatest in Britain's sporting history."

The final decision on making a bid to host the World Cup lies with the Football Association. Any FA bid for the 2018 tournament would have to be submitted by 2010, with the decision being made by football's international governing body Fifa in autumn 2011.

The next World Cup takes place in South Africa in 2010 and is expected to be held in a South American country in 2014, before returning to Europe in 2018.

(KMcA)


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