FA confirms WC 2018 bid

England's Football Association confirmed on Wednesday that it will be bidding to host the 2018 World Cup.
The move, which has been strongly backed by the British government, follows a decision by FIFA this week to end its policy of rotating the tournament between continents, which would have ruled out a European host in 2018.
England is the first country to say unequivocally that they will be bidding to stage the 2018 finals but it is certain that they will face stiff opposition from a large number of rivals.
Australia, the Benelux states (The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg), China, Mexico, Russia and the United States have all expressed interest in hosting the world's biggest sporting event in 2018.
Gerry Sutcliffe, Britain's Sports Minister, acknowledged as much but voiced confidence that England could win the battle.
"This is the biggest team sport event in the world so it's bound to be a tough contest but just like the Olympic bid for 2012, I'm sure we can win.
"England is the home of football, has the best stadiums and our people have a long-standing love affair with the game. I think an England 2018 would be the best World Cup ever staged."
Announcing the decision to launch a bid, FA Chairman Geoff Thompson said the "tremendous support" from Prime Minister Gordon Brown and encouraging signals from FIFA had been key factors in the decision.
"It would be tremendous for English football and the whole country if we are successful," he said.
FA chief executive Brian Barwick added: "This is a great moment for all of us who love the game in this country. The excitement and expectation from the public to a prospective bid has been incredible.
"It is very clear that the English football public want to see the World Cup back in this country."
The FA's confirmation of the bid came as a slight surprise as the governing body had been expected first to carry out a feasibility study to assess the chances of success.
The organisation has proceeded cautiously as a result of bitter memories of its failure to secure the 2006 finals, which went to Germany.
But FA officials now appear convinced that the 2018 tournament can be secured and they have been buoyed in recent weeks by supportive comments from FIFA president Sepp Blatter, UEFA president Michel Platini and Germany's FIFA executive committee member Franz Beckenbauer.
The prosperity of England's top clubs means the country already has enough stadiums of the required quality to host the World Cup, although they are concentrated in London, the north-west and north-east of the country and some new developments may be necessary to ensure a more even geographical spread.