Milton Keynes given chance to promote World Cup bid

By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

April 19 – Milton Keynes will have an opportunity to showcase its bid to become a host city if England are awarded the 2018 World Cup later this year when its stadium hosts its first ever senior international match.

Ghana have announced that they will play Latvia at the 22,000-seater Stadium:MK on June 5 as part of the team’s preparations for the World Cup before they leave for South Africa.

The Stadium, which was opened by the Queen in November 2007, has previously hosted a number of England under-21 matches but this will be the first match there between two senior international teams.

Milton Keynes was controversially chosen by England 2018 officials as one of 12 stadiums that they propose to use if the country are host the event.

The decision sparked outrage among many football fans, particularly at AFC Wimbledon, set-up by fans upset when Wimbledon were brought in 2004 by Pete Winkleman after they fell into administration.

He moved the club to Milton Keynes and re-named them MK Dons, although many fans call them ”Franchise FC”.

The friendly in Milton Keynes will be one of three played by Ghana during its preparations for South Africa.

They are due to play an international against an as yet to be identified opponent in France on May 27 before heading to Rotterdam for a match with fellow World Cup finalists the Netherlands on June 1.

Ghana, who were the only African side to reach the second round of the last World Cup finals in Germany, open their 2010 campaign against Serbia on June 13 before playing Australia and Germany in Group D.

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