England Preps Bid For 2018 World Cup, Expects Europe Competition

Triesman Wants David Beckham, Prince William To Become Faces Of England's 2018 Cup Bid

FIFA President Sepp Blatter Saturday "signalled the start of campaigning" by countries to host the 2018 World Cup, and FA Chair Lord David Triesman believes that after the 2010 Cup in South Africa and 2014 Cup in Brazil, FIFA will "seek a more broadcast-friendly, money-spinning event in 2018," according to Henry Winter of the London TELEGRAPH. Triesman, who will lead England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup, said, "FIFA want a really strong financial plan, which means TV coverage in the right time zones." When asked if "that means Europe," Triesman said, "I think, it does. The stadia are there in England and, broadly speaking, the transport system is there, and that takes a lot of risk out of running the World Cup. You haven't got to say 'we need every single penny to make this thing fly.' That will be in FIFA's minds." Triesman said of England's potential competitors, "Spain are a serious football country if they went for it. Maybe Russia but I find it very hard to read whether they could do it when you look at what is happening in this economy and some of its internal issues. I would like to think after several years in the southern hemisphere it would be in the north but I have no doubt Australia will make a really serious effort." Triesman added MLS Galaxy MF David Beckham, who will serve as an ambassador for England's bid, is "capable of having an extraordinary impact" (London TELEGRAPH, 12/22). In Manchester, Andy Hunter reported Triesman is expected to invite Beckham and Prince William to "become the public faces" of England's 2018 bid. England has not hosted a World Cup since '66 (Manchester GUARDIAN, 12/22).