Exclusive: World Cup in England would be easiest to organise admits Blatter

By Duncan Mackay in Singapore
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

August 23 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has given England’s campaign to host the 2018 World Cup a massive boost by admitting that staging the tournament there presents the least risks.

England are one of four European bidders for the event but Blatter has told insideworldfootball that they offer the best option if the world governing body is looking to avoid some of the problems that overshadowed the build-up to this year’s World Cup in South Africa.

He told insideworldfootball: ”The easiest way to organise the World Cup is to go to England.

“Everything is there – fans, stadiums, infrastructure – it’s easy.

“It’s easy.”

Blatter’s comments during an interview with insideworldfootball here – where he has been attending the inaugural Summer Youth Olympic Games – will ensure that the four-day tour of England’s bid by a FIFA delegation, which starts today, will begin on a buoyant note.

He also dismissed fears that England’s poor performance in South Africa – where they were knocked out in the Round of 16 by Germany – has damaged their prospects for 2018.

Blatter said: “Definitely not.

“The performances of bidding countries national teams does not matter.

“It is the quality of their bid that matters.”

But Blatter also offered clues that factors other than ease of organisation may yet influence FIFA’s decision when they take the final vote at an Executive Committee meeting in Zurich on December 2 and that England need to fear Russia’s bid.

Blatter told insideworldfootball: “You cannot deny Russia if they bid for something.

“They are more than a country.

“They are a big continent, a big power.”

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