Parliament "will support World Cup bid"
Fans will be keen to bring the joy of Germany to England
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Monday, 12, Feb 2007 09:57
An official study into the possibility of England hosting the 2018 World Cup has concluded that a bid would be given the full support of ministers.
The Football Association has yet to commit to an official bid for the tournament, which is likely to be the next opportunity for a European nation to host the event.
Just over a year ago, chancellor Gordon Brown pledged his support for any bid, although the FA has repeatedly said it would have to wait until a full survey and analysis of any campaign to host the World Cup had been completed.
The FA remains cautious over declaring itself as a candidate for the 2018 tournament after having its fingers burned when bidding for the 2006 World Cup, which was eventually won by Germany.
That episode damaged the FA's reputation in world football after it emerged that the English association had backtracked on a verbal agreement with the German bid organisers that they would lend their support to one another and not launch rival bids.
FA chief executive Brian Barwick welcomed the survey, saying: "Government backing is a central part of any successful World Cup bid and this study underlines this government's commitment to bringing the world's biggest sports events to these shores.
"Sport also cuts across political lines and we realise that cross-party support is essential if England is to lead in achieving sporting success, both in terms of hosting and winning major competitions."
A final decision on whether or not to officially launch a bid does not need to be made for another three years although a "groundswell of public support" for the tournament to be held on English soil is widely expected to gather pace before then, Barwick added.