By Tom Degun in London
May 14 – London Mayor Boris Johnson and Arsenal legend Ian Wright teamed up at London’s City Hall today to mark the handover of the England 2018 World Cup bid to FIFA.
The pair took receipt of London’s official copy of the final bid book to help fly the flag for the national campaign on the day that David Beckham handed the book to FIFA President Sepp Blatter in Zurich.
Johnson said: “It’s fair to say we Londoners are bonkers about the beautiful game and I’m delighted we’re a key part of England 2018’s proposals.”
Wembley Stadium is due to stage the opening match and final if England are awarded the 2018 World Cup while the Emirates, the Olympic Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur’s proposed new ground are all set to figure.
Johnson said: ”Our fine sporting venues would be the perfect place to host a legion of exciting international matches.
“I congratulate our professional clubs for harnessing the World Cup momentum and unifying their community programmes for aspiring young footballers.
“I want to make sure we use this positive energy to get everyone backing England’s bid.”
Ian Wright told insideworldfootball: “It’s about time that the World Cup returns to England.
“Many other countries have hosted the tournament more than once and I think that England has invested more into the football than anyone else.
“Everyone keeps talking about 1966 but I want to witness a football World Cup in England for myself.
“English football fans are the best in the world and as Londoner, my message is quite simply – come on England!”
FIFA officials are due to visit London later in the year as part of an inspection tour of bidding countries.
Contact the writer of this story zib.l1735103319labto1735103319ofdlr1735103319owedi1735103319sni@n1735103319uged.1735103319mot1735103319