England hope new 2018 blueprint will be vote winner

By Andrew Warshaw

October 6 – England’s bid to stage the 2018 World Cup has moved up a gear with an 18-point plan to try and capture enough votes on December. 2.

The so-called “pledges to partners” contains new commitments and previously unrevealed details from England’s bid book submitted to FIFA.

Among these is a promise to meet the requirement on hotel rooms – the one problem area flagged up by the recent FIFA technical inspection visit.

If England stages the tournament, each of the 32 finalists will be hosted by a Premier League or Football League club, and ticket-holders will be able to travel free on public transport – though only on match days.

In contrast, the Russians pledge that the same service will be provided throughout the entire tournament.

“We believe these commitments provide a clear demonstration of why we would be the best possible partner for FIFA and the global football family,” said England bid chief Andy Anson (pictured).

“They cover every aspect of our bid: passion, diversity, world-class infrastructure, minimal risk, major events experience, commercial leadership and the creation of a significant global impact.

“The combination of these factors will lead to the most ambitious, spectacular festival of football imaginable and a lasting legacy of football and social development all around the world.”

Although bidding nations are not permitted to comment on one another’s campaign – a rule that will be severely tested at the Leaders in Football conference at Stamford Bridge when all four European candidates share the podium for the first time – Anson got as close as he could to taking a swipe at those with self-interest at heart.

“Ours is not a World Cup that will benefit one country alone but is truly a FIFA World Cup for the world,” he said.

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