Why we are bidding
Football is our national sport
Off the field, 14 million fans watched Barclays Premier League games in 2007-08, and 16 million attended Coca-Cola Football League games.
When England reached the quarter finals of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ in Germany, it was watched by a domestic audience of about 30 million people – over half the population.
On the field, every month more than seven million people play, including 4 million children. 81% of all boys play the game, and 31% of girls.
There are over 37,500 teams affiliated to The FA playing in 1,700 leagues on 45,000 pitches, helped by 30,000 qualified coaches and 27,000 referees.
15 million people are involved in grassroots football in England, whether as players, administrators or spectators.
The pride of hosting the world’s biggest sport event
England’s passion for hosting great sporting events provided the momentum behind London’s successful bid for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The country has a track record of successfully hosting major sporting and entertainment events. World Championships in four different sports were held in England in 2008, and the 2002 Commonwealth Games were held in Manchester. The country regularly hosts European championships across the sporting spectrum, including UEFA Women’s EURO 2005™.
Every year England hosts iconic sporting events known the world over – The FA Cup Final, Wimbledon Championships (tennis), the British Open (golf), the Grand National (horse racing), Test Matches (cricket) and the Six Nations (rugby), to name but a few.
Hosting and watching major sporting events is in the DNA of the nation.
Economic and social benefits beyond football
Hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ in England would provide a massive economic boost and provide a focal point for celebrating the nation’s multi-cultural diversity.
When Germany hosted 2006 FIFA World Cup™ hundreds of businesses benefited from 2m international visitors and a total of 3.3m spectators, many of them watching on big-screens in city centres. 85,000 jobs were created by the tournament.
A World Cup in England is predicted to attract 3m international visitors who will contribute over £3 billion to the UK economy.
Grassroots football will thrive
English football already invests £190m in developing the game. 32,000 schools encourage children to play, 17,000 primary schools among them. They are the future of football in this country, and they will be inspired by having the world’s greatest players on their doorsteps.
The World Cup will also accelerate the wide-ranging “Get into Football” campaign to encourage people to take up or continue the sport in other capacities, such as referees, coaches, medics or administrators.