Bid delegation in Zurich

A delegation led by FA Chairman Lord Triesman landed in Zurich this morning to deliver the declaration of intent to bid for the 2018 World Cup to FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

The group, which included England 2018 Bid Vice-Presidents Fabio Capello and Hope Powell, visited FIFA Headquarters and Capello admitted that he believes England would be a 'fantastic place' to host the World Cup.
 
"The stadia are OK, the people are fantastic as well so I think it needs to come back here after so many years.
 
"I think England would be a fantastic place for the World Cup,'' the England Manager told Sky Sports News.
 
With eleven formal expressions of interest to bid for the 2018 and/or the 2022 World Cups, Lord Triesman said the process would be a challenge that would bring the best out of England.
"We have to demonstrate that we can win it on merit but very often it is the toughest competition that sharpens your game the most.
 
"I welcome this like I would welcome the kind of match between two clubs at the top of their game."

Andy Burnham, secretary of state for culture, media and sport, also travelled to Zurich to affirm the Government's backing for the bid.
 
Bidding for the 2018 World Cup will be conducted simultaneously with the 2022 tournament and candidates can bid for either or both - both winners will be announced in December 2010.
Other members of the England delegation were bid chief executive Andy Anson and former FA chairman Geoff Thompson, who is now a FIFA and UEFA vice-president.
 
They met with Blatter together with FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke and Jerome Champage, Blatter's special delegate.

Anson said: "We came to listen to what FIFA were looking for from a World Cup tournament and we had some very constructive dialogue with the FIFA President.

"What was clearly understood was the importance of a legacy that a tournament can and should provide and we will be looking to show that we can deliver what FIFA wants on all fronts.''