Exclusive: England 2018 think they have identified change in FIFA strategy

By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich

May 13 – As the nine countries bidding for the 2108 and 2022 World Cups prepare to hand over their carefully prepared bid books to FIFA here tomorrow, the man who has worked on no fewer than three bids has identified a major change of strategy.

According to Ian Riley, director of England’s 2018 technical bid, FIFA will now rank each campaign on an assessment of risk more than their technical inspection visits this summer.

Riley worked on both South Africa’s last two bids, the failed campaign in 2006 and the successful one for 2010 and is better placed than most to provide insight and analysis on what is required.

“When I was working for South Africa for the 2006 bid, FIFA ranked each technical report,” Riley said.

“They won’t be grading any more.

“What they have said is that they will be evaluating the bids based on risk.”

Which, he maintains, is good news for England whose technical bid in 2006 was rated lower than those of Germany and South Africa.

“I genuinely believe we present a low-risk option to FIFA,” said Riley.

“One of the biggest risk profiles of staging any major event is construction and we have a really good balance of existing stadiums and new builds.

“That alleviates any risk concerns that you may have.”

He would not say it but if the risk factor is indeed a major priority,

Russia might perhaps be considered more vulnerable though the Russians would doubtless deny this having quietly manoeuvred themselves into the role of 2018 favourites.

David Beckham will hand over England 2018’s bid book to FIFA president Sepp Blatter here but he is not the only high-profile figure, with Johan Cruyff in attendance for Holland and Belgium.

“Our benchmark is to exceed FIFA’s expectations,” said Riley (pictured).

“I know from past experience that you can get a green light from FIFA, an amber light and a red light.

“One of the biggest factors is Government guarantees.

“These are absolutely fundamental.

“As is the level of competition readiness.”

Having won one bid and lost another, Riley knows how to learn from mistakes.

“Every bid city this time has had two full inspection visits, in particular as regards funding that is needing to meet FIFA’s requirements.

“That, for us, is a major plus point.”

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