By David Owen
November 16 – FIFA inspectors have criticised England’s 2018 World Cup bid for potentially exposing world football’s governing body to “excessive” hotel pricing and booking conditions.
By Andrew Warshaw in Doha
November 15 – The head of Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid has launched a passionate defence of his country’s campaign as the Gulf state readies itself for a verdict that could decide its fate two weeks before schedule.
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November 15 – England 2018 have sent a letter to all FIFA Executive Committee members to try to repair the damage caused by two media investigations into World Cup bidding.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 12 – Holland and Belgium’s joint 2018 World Cup bid rolled into France today and shook off the underdog status that has dogged them since the start of the campaign.
By David Owen
November 12 – A glittering array of VIPs is expected in Zurich next month for the climax of the high-stakes battles for the right to stage the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
November 12 -Budding young Australian footballers enjoyed a “video breakfast” with their heroes – Qantas Socceroo Mark Schwarzer in London and Westfield Matilda Melissa Barbieri in Melbourne.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 11 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has called an unscheduled meeting of his Executive Committee for November 19, two days after a potentially landmark ruling over World Cup corruption allegations involving two high-ranking members and two bidding nations.
By David Owen
November 11 – Keenly-awaited reports on the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids are set to be dispatched to FIFA Executive Committee members tomorrow as the battle to host one of the world’s biggest sporting occasions heads for a dramatic denouement, insideworldfootball has learnt.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 10 – The contents of an infamous hand-written note could hold the key to Spain-Portugal and Qatar being exonerated of any World Cup bidding collusion next week.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 10 – The United States’ bid for the 2022 World Cup has received a jolt with the revelation that one of its own confederation members on FIFA”s Executive Committee may not vote for it.
November 9 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter today claimed that if Korea hosted the 2022 World Cup it had the potential to unite the divided northern and southern halves of the country.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 9 – Former President Bill Clinton will be the United States’ chief figurehead at next month’s World Cup vote in Zurich.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 8 – While all manner of allegation and counter-allegation are going on around him, Japan’s 2022 World Cup bid executive director Yuichiro Nakajima is trying to stay cool and keep things clean.
By Andrew Warshaw
October 31 – The two World Cup bid candidates under investigation for alleged vote collusion are almost certain to avoid serious punishment.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
October 30 – Russian officials have angrily hit back at new accusations by the Sunday Times that they had offered inducements to secure Amos Adamu’s vote before the FIFA Executive Committee member was suspended.