World Cup bid process

The announcement from FIFA of the bidding process for two World Cup tournaments has been welcomed by England’s World Cup Bid team.

FIFA today confirmed that an Executive Committee meeting in Tokyo had a agreed a process to consider bids for countries to stage either the 2018 or 2022 tournaments with a decision to be reached in December 2010.
 
Bid Chairman Lord Triesman said: "FIFA’s announcement effectively sets the ball rolling on the whole process and so this marks the start of an intense but exciting period. We’ll be officially registering our intent at the earliest opportunity in the New Year."

The Bid strategy will continue to focus on a presentation that prepares England for a tournament in 2018 but the team will now study today’s announcement to ensure complete understanding of the process required by FIFA and the wider option available.

It is anticipated England will face strong competition from several countries around the world, and the successful nations will have to show excellence across the board to secure the host nation status.

"The announcement of a dual process doesn’t affect our planning at all," said Lord Triesman. "Our mission is to ensure we have the support of everyone around the country so the world knows that England not only has the infrastructure to stage a tournament but also the enthusiasm to make it the best possible event in World Cup history. We are determined that a World Cup in England will leave a lasting legacy for the development of world football.

"In the coming months our aim will be to mount a Bid that ultimately exceeds FIFA’s criteria and explains the worldwide legacy which a World Cup in England will leave. Competition from other nations will be incredibly strong but we have to present a Bid that surpasses any other and convinces the world of how football would benefit from the World Cup coming to England. We shall listen, watch and learn, both at home and abroad so that we can present a Bid that delivers what is actually required rather than what we ‘think’ is required.

"We hope to be able to formally deliver our intention to Bid to FIFA in the New Year but the task from today is to build on the work we’ve already done and continue putting together a project that involves and inspires the whole of the country."