England confirms bid to host World Cup 2018

A lucrative English Premier League, modern stadiums and a vastly improved record on crowd behaviour, England confirmed its bid to host the FIFA 2018 World Cup on Wednesday.

The Canadian Press confirmed that Two days after FIFA scrapped its policy of rotating the tournament among its confederations, the Football Association wants England to stage it for a second time. England won the 1966 title at home.

"I'm delighted to announce our intention to bid to host the World Cup in 2018," FA chairman Geoff Thompson said. "This follows FIFA's announcement on Monday that the previous rotation policy will be discontinued, and the positive comments made by FIFA president Sepp Blatter."

Blatter said before FIFA's ruling in Zurich that he would welcome a bid from England, which will probably face opposition from China, Australia, Mexico, the U.S., Russia, Spain and a joint bid from Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.

England is already off to a fast start with the British government assisting the bid.

"The tremendous support from Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his government has also been a key consideration in today's decision," Thompson said. "I'm delighted the FA board have been so positive in their support for a bid. It would be tremendous for English football and the whole country if we are successful."

"This is the biggest team sport event in the world, so it's bound to be a tough contest, but just like the Olympic bid for 2012, I'm sure we can win," Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said.

"England is the home of football, has the best stadiums and our people have a long-standing love affair with the game. I think an England 2018 would be the best World Cup ever staged."

Another advantage for England will be that many of the stadiums needed to stage a World Cup are already built.

Wembley Stadium has been rebuilt with a capacity of 90,000, Manchester United's Old Trafford holds 76,000 and Arsenal's Emirates Stadium has 60,000 seats. Liverpool's replacement stadium for Anfield - due to be constructed in 2010 - will also be available, while the grounds of Newcastle United (St. James' Park), Manchester City (City of Manchester Stadium), Aston Villa (Villa Park) and Sunderland (Stadium of Light) are already large enough to host World Cup games.