South Africans begin to snap up World Cup tickets
December 14 – The first ten days of the third ticketing sales phase for the 2010 World Cup has seen the number of tickets applied for hit the 500,000 mark, FIFA revealed today.
World Cup
Exclusive: Pick Sunderland instead of Newcastle urges Quinn
By Andrew Warshaw
December 15 – Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn (pictured) has fuelled the already intense north-east rivalry between his club and Newcastle by insisting the Stadium of Light would be a better bet than St. James’ Park to host World Cup matches in 2018.
England World Cup team travel to Nigeria to seek vote
By Andrew Warshaw
December 14 – England’s 2018 World Cup bid team are stepping up the lobbying campaign with yet another attempt to woo the all-important African vote.
Russia put domestic tragedies behind them
By Andrew Warshaw
December 14 – Russia have re-iterated their determination to stage the 2018 World Cup by stressing again that the country has all the necessary tools to meet FIFA requirements.
Bidders for England 2018 have last chance to impress
By Duncan Mackay
December 14 – The cities and towns bidding to be part of England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup were today beginning to make their final presentations in the hope of convincing officials that they should be chosen.
Australia World Cup bid accused of chasing a dream at expense of everything else
By Duncan Mackay
December 14 – Jeff Kennett (pictured), one of Australia’s most prominent politicians and now the President of leading Australian Football League (AFL) club Hawthorn, has warned that the organisers behind the country’s bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup are prepared to chase their dream at the expense of everyone else.
Stoke City ready to become first club to offer England bid cash
December 14 – Stoke City have become the first Premier League club to publicly declare that they are prepared to financially back England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup with a donation of £250,000.
De Boer: Qatar can win 2022 World Cup bid
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By Duncan Mackay
December 13 – Ronald De Boer (pictured right), the former Barcelona and Holland star, said that he is supporting Qatar’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup because he believes the tiny country on the Arabian Peninsula can put on the best tournament.
Rival codes will not scupper Australian World Cup bid says Buckley
By Duncan Mackay
December 13 – The row between the rival codes will not be allowed to overshadow the country’s bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, the head of Football Federation Australia (FFA) Ben Buckley (pictured) promised today.
All Whites seeking to reach Brazil reach Asia
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December 12 – New Zealand have opened discussions with international officials about retaining the present system of World Cup qualification for the 2014 tournament that would see them trying to reach Brazil via the Asian route.
Hull pinning future on being chosen for England 2018
December 12 – Hull City’s future could depend on the KC Stadium being chosen to be one of the venues for the 2018 World Cup if England’s bid is successful, the club’s chairman Adam Pearson has claimed.
Australia should concentrate on 2022 World Cup says Beckenbauer
By Duncan Mackay
December 11 – Franz Beckenbauer (pictured) has again praised Australia’s bid to host the World Cup but warned, that with the 2018 tournament set to come back to Europe, then 2022 is a more realistic opportunity.
Capello in pay league of his own
December 11 – England coach Fabio Capello (pictured) is paid more than any other manager at next summer’s World Cup, according to a report published today.
Curbishley claims England could stage World Cup tomorrow
By Tom Degun
December 10 – England is perfectly placed to stage the 2018 World Cup, former West Ham United and Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley (pictured) has claimed.
British High Commissioner in Australia upsets hosts by publicly backing England for 2018
By Duncan Mackay
December 9 – Baroness Valerie Amos (pictured), Britain’s High Commissioner to Australia, has risked upsetting her hosts by publicly claiming that England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup is much stronger than any of its rivals, including Australia’s.