Beckham launches England’s World Cup bid
David Beckham launched England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup by
insisting no other country can match their passion for the globe’s
biggest sporting event.
England midfielder Beckham was at Wembley on Monday as the English
Football Association began their attempt to convince FIFA, the world
game’s governing body, that they should stage the four-yearly
tournament.
England hosted their only World Cup in 1966 when Sir Alf Ramsey’s
team won the event, but the nation’s appetite for football is so strong
that Beckham believes it is only right the competition should finally
return 52 years after that historic victory.
“To have the World Cup in your own country is the dream of any
player. I know first hand the passion of our fans and they would provide
an incredible atmosphere at every game,” said former England captain
Beckham, who holds the record for most appearances by an England
outfield player.
“There’s no bigger support than our fans. There are full stadiums
everywhere. Some of the biggest players in the world, (Zinedine) Zidane
and Ronaldo, ask me what it’s like to play in England. They love that
passion.
“The passion doesn’t just stop at Premier League level. It’s from the
grass-roots and the amateur leagues right through every league.
“When we stage big competitions it shows around the country how
excited people get. Our country is renowed for getting excited by big
events. I don’t think any country in the world can compete with us for
that.
“A World Cup in England would inspire a generation of younger players
and capture the imagination of everyone.”
Beckham was joined at the English national stadium by British Prime
Minister Gordon Brown, current England team-mate Wayne Rooney, as well
as Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Geoff Hurst, who both played in the 1966
World Cup final victory over West Germany.
Manchester United striker Rooney said: “I know how much the crowd can
lift you here and how much the country would get behind us. It would be
a dream come true for any England player.
“Hopefully I’ll still be playing at that time. I’ll be 32 but you
look at some of the players at Manchester United like Ryan Giggs and
Paul Scholes. They are the perfect example to me to keep myself fit.”
England, who failed to win the race to stage the 2006 World Cup, face
competition from Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Russia, the United
States and joint bids from Belgium and the Netherlands and Portugal and
Spain.
FIFA’s 24-man executive committee will deliver their verdict in
December 2010 and the FA’s bid leaders are well aware that they must win
over delegates in Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and Asia.
FA chairman Lord Triesman said: “Our job in the next 19 months is
clear; we need to put together the strongest bid possible. We believe
that England can stage a wonderful event,” Triesman said.
“We are determined that England 2018 will assist the development of
football globally and meet FIFA’s aspirations that the World Cup leaves
a legacy of positive change.”
LONDON, AFP |