Cameron meets Blatter at Downing Street

By David Owen

October 13 – British Prime Minister David Cameron has welcomed Sepp Blatter to Downing Street in the latest meeting between FIFA top brass and political leaders from countries bidding to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

With just 50 days to go until FIFA’s 24-man Executive Committee decides where the tournaments will be staged, Cameron described FIFA President Blatter’s visit as a key moment in the campaign and said England was “ready, willing and able to deliver the best World Cup ever and the best legacy ever”.

He added: “I hope you see just how passionate England is about this bid and how much of an honour it would be if we were chosen to host the World Cup.”

The Prime Minister, who was accompanied by FIFA Executive Committee member Geoff Thompson, Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport Jeremy Hunt, Sports Minister Hugh Robertson and others involved with the bid, was forced to miss the visit to England by FIFA’s World Cup inspectors in August because his wife, Samantha, was expecting their fourth child.

Separately, England players from rival clubs marked the “50 days to go” point in the campaign by posing together to signify how the country was “united” behind the bid.

England captain Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United posed with Manchester City’s Gareth Barry, while Tottenham’s Peter Crouch appeared with Jack Wilshere of Arsenal.

All four were in the England squad for Tuesday night’s disappointing goalless draw with Montenegro at Wembley.

England’s legacy plans include a new global fund for football known as “Football United”.

England is mainly targeting the 2018 competition and faces competition from Belgium/Holland, Russia, Spain/Portugal and the United States.

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