England Submit Bid for 2018 World Cup

England have officially entered the race to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The FA will be attempting to bring the world’s most prestigious tournament back to the birthplace of football for the first time since 1966, as they look to learn from their failed attempt for the 2006 World Cup, which they eventually lost to Germany.

FIFA must receive confirmation of entry to bid by Monday 2 February and have so far confirmed that they have received six bids including England’s. Two more have come from Europe, one from Russia and a joint venture from Spain and Portugal. Japan, Qatar, and Indonesia are the others to have officially put their names forward.

At least a couple more nations are expected to enter the race by the deadline on Monday, with Australia apparently very keen to host the tournament for the first time. Further bids are anticipated to come from Mexico and USA, along with a further joint bid from Europe with Belgium and Holland eager to unite as they did successfully for Euro 2000. Canada and China are also said to be considering bids.

At this stage, any bid entered is for the 2022 tournament as well as 2018, but FIFA’s intention of rotating the tournament means that no nation will be considered as host if their continent has already held the competition in the last eight years. Therefore, England’s bid would not carry over to 2022 if another European country or countries are chosen to host 2018.

By the same rule no African nation can bid for 2018 (due to South Africa hosting in 2010) and no bids from South America will be accepted for either 2018 or 2022 (due to Brazil hosting in 2014).

England should appear as one of the initial favourites if only because many of their main competitors have already hosted the World Cup since England last did in 1966. USA hosted in 1994 and Japan co-hosted as recently as 2002.

Spain held the 1982 competition and Mexico have hosted two of the ten most recent events in 1970 and again in 1986 after Colombia’s withdrawal.

FIFA regulations also state that the successful nation must have at least twelve stadiums of at least 40,000 capacity as well as a venue for the World Cup Final of at least 80,000. England already has eleven stadiums which match these criteria and the 12th is not far off—Hillsborough’s capacity stands at 39,814.

Liverpool are currently involved in advanced plans for a new stadium and it is believed the 2018 bid will include new stadiums in both Nottingham and Birmingham.

However, in reality the bid is likely not to be won or the basis of time passed since previous tournaments or on the quality of stadiums, but more on the politics behind the voting procedure and it is here where England are likely to face their greatest task.