World Cup Run-in

England last hosted the World Cup before I was born. Coincidentally, it also marked the only time England have lifted the trophy.

Unsuccessful in its bid to host the 2006 finals (made more painful as Germany were the eventual hosts of the tournament), England is bidding to host the 2018 World Cup finals. Other competitors for the 2018 tournament include United States (host in 1994), Japan (co-hosts in 2002), South Korea (co-hosts in 2002), and Mexico (1970 and 1986). Other bids that have never hosted the tournament include Australia, Indonesia, Qatar, Russia and dual host bids from Portugal / Spain (hosted 1982) and Holland / Belgium.

This week saw a visit from Jack Warner, vice-President of FIFA. For some weird political and geographic reasons, he is the man who holds up six of the 24 representatives who will make the final decision. 13 representatives need to agree on one host nation.

Warner is well known for his prickliness to England. Whilst complementing England´s love of football, its facilities, infrastructure and transport as well as acknowledging the quality of England´s premiership. However, he claims it is missing “something” – an unspecified x factor. He seems to prefer bids from Spain, USA, Russia and Australia.

This has been interpreted in England as “not playing the correct politics. These 24 representatives will need to be heavily indulged by all these bidding nations. What a job!

A government feasibility study on the English bid can be found by clicking here.