Six years before the tournament, there is a secret ballot under a single transferable vote system, by FIFA’s 24-member executive committee.

Before then each candidate country has to submit a bid document, which includes a hosting agreement and government guarantees.

There are details on security and transportation and stadiums and other related facilities. A visit is then made by an inspection group who look at the stadiums and communications and there are talked between all interested parties. Finally the host has to make a presentation to the FIFA’s Executive Committee.

A bid must have Government backing, but England also have the bonus of years of footballing history and tradition.