A team of FIFA inspectors concluded their visit to England on Thursday after being in the country to assess England’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup™ in 2018. The six man delegation travelled to London, Sunderland, Newcastle and Manchester to inspect the technical proposals of England’s bid, as well as meeting with a number of key figures in English football.
Leader of the inspection team and President of the Chilean FA, Harold Mayne-Nicholls praised the country’s world class stadia and passionate fans, stating that a World Cup in England “would be a great experience with a long lasting legacy for the country and its people as well as for football worldwide.”
The inspection team began their tour of England on Monday with a visit to Number 10 Downing Street to meet with Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg who confirmed the Government’s full support for the bid. The group then visited Wembley Stadium where they met with England Manager, Fabio Capello.
On Tuesday the team took a river boat trip down the Thames to visit The O2 Arena as the England 2018 team described how the venue would be used for the Final Draw if the bid is successful.
The group then travelled to the north east of England – taking in a number of proposed stadiums from the air during the journey. The day concluded with a visit to Middlesbrough’s Rockliffe Hall training facilities – one of the training camps included in England’s bid.
Wednesday saw the inspection team visit four stadiums across three candidate host cities. The day began with a visit to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light to meet with AFC Sunderland Chairman, Niall Quinn, before taking a tour of Newcastle’s St James’ Park led by Toon legend, Peter Beardsley.
The City of Manchester was the next stop for the delegation before ending with a visit to Old Trafford where the group met Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Bobby Charlton and Manchester United players Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney.
The inspection team’s final day in England involved a number of inspirational presentations on the domestic and global impact that a World Cup in England could have on human and social development.
England will find out if its bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ has been successful when FIFA make their decision on 2nd December.
To show your support for England’s bid, text ENGLAND to 62018 or visit www.england2018bid.com|