British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has told Sky Sports News he will throw his governments full support behind an English 2018 World Cup bid, which he said would have nationwide support and be of benefit to the country.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Brown said:

“It’s a great idea, it would be great for football, great for sport and great for our country. We published a study showing all the benefits that would come. It would go to every region because you would have some of the World Cup matches in all the different parts of the country, so it has great benefits right across the country.

I think we’ve got a lot of support. I think it’s the right time as it will have been 52 years when 2018 comes around. I think there’s increasing support around the world that the home of football should have the World Cup soon, and that should be 2018, which is the first time which we can now have it.”