Fantastic news that gives us stronger hope of bringing the World Cup to our country has emerged from FIFA. The football governing body stated that new rules will be used in deciding the 2018 and 2022 hosts of the world’s greatest football tournament. The 2018 England bid was submitted to FIFA by Lord Triesman and Andy Anson, FA Chairman and CEO respectively. The rival bids from Europe come in the form of Russia, Spain-Portugal and Holland-Belgium.

[...and for the Good of England. Let's bring it home!]

However, according to the new rules, only Russia will rival the England 2018 bid, as co-hosts will be given second preference if a one-nation bid comes from a continent. As long as the single country shows FIFA that it has the resources to host successfully, the two-nation bids will not even be considered. This is a big blow for the Spain-Portugal and Belgium-Holland bids. Blatter is quoted as saying: “As long as we have single-country bids which provide all the necessary guarantees we will reject co-hosting bids. As things stand in regard to bidding, if there are an adequate number of single bids we do not accept joint bids. If we are going to do anything different it will have to be addressed at our next meeting in March.” Dissatisfaction expressed after Japan and Korea were allowed to co-host the 2002 event made FIFA re-consider if it should allow this to happen again. England remain the clear favourites to host the 2018 World Cup.

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