PM backs World Cup bid
By Joe Fraser
David Cameron has pledged his support for England’s 2018 World Cup bid.
The new coalition government has come into power just days before the bid team’s crucial presentation to FIFA in Zurich, and the new prime minister spoke to FIFA president Sepp Blatter yesterday.
England’s bid to host the tournament was officially launched 12 months ago but has received backing from the Labour government since 2007 when Gordon Brown was still chancellor.
Mr Cameron moved quickly to try to ensure the political transition doesn’t affect England’s chances of success.
A Downing Street spokesman said of Mr Cameron’s conversation with Mr Blatter: “The PM stressed the new government was absolutely behind England’s 2018 bid. He reminded Mr Blatter that football was the national sport and people in England were extremely passionate about football.
“He said that this country has great infrastructure and facilities and has a history of delivering great major sporting events like Euro 96; he said people in England were fully behind the bid.”
David Beckham lead a five-member delegation taking part in the presentation of the bid documents at FIFA headquarters. England’s submission will be in competition with eight others vying to stage the 2018 or 2022 World Cups.
