The nations bidding for the 2018 World Cup have given their final presentation to FIFA just hours before the vote on Thursday morning.

England, Russia, Spain/Portugal and Holland/Belgium did all they could to sway any last minute voters that could win them the tournament.

Holland and Belgium were up first. They told the audience that their bid was small and fun. Bid president Ruud Gullit said: “We have a great offer. It’s a safe choice in every aspect. We are a compact bid and our limited size is our real strength, it makes it easy for players, officials and, of course, the fans.”

Spain/Portugal’s joint bid presentation prompted criticism from many for being too serious and based on facts rather than fun. Jose Luis Zapatero, Spanish president, said: “Spain is the country with the broadest network of high-speed trains in Europe. We have 50 airports in Iberia, Spain and Portugal is also the most visited destination worldwide, 70m tourists a year – that’s an example of our hotel power and our ability to host.”

Russia’s bid presentation was largely focused on the lasting legacy that taking the tournament to Eastern Europe would have. FIFA member Vitaly Mutko, said: “Twenty one years ago the Berlin Wall was broken. Today we can break another symbolic wall and open a new era in football together. Russia represents new horizons for Fifa, millions of new hearts and minds and a great legacy after the World Cup, great new stadiums and millions of boys and girls embracing the game. Russia’s economy is large and growing, and Russia’s sports market is developing markedly.”

However, England’s bid stole the show with memorable performances from David Beckham, David Cameron, Prince William and Manchester City community officer and bid ambassador Eddie Afekafe. Afekafe was dubbed the star of the show with a heartfelt speech about how football changed his life.

Very soon, after years of campaigning, we will know which country has obtained the 12 vote majority to host the 2018 World Cup.