Caborn wants 2018 World Cup
Wednesday, 19 Jul 2006 21:51
Caborn wants 2018 World Cup
Sports minister Richard Caborn has insisted that a bid to bring the 2018 World Cup to England would have a high chance of succeeding.
England submitted a bid for the 2006 World Cup before eventually losing out to Germany, but since then Fifa have changed the rules meaning a European nation cannot host the tournament until 2018.
However, Caborn hinted that England would be looking to host the competition next time around and insisted any bid would prove hard to turn down.
"We will be looking at what our strengths and weaknesses are and will look to address those issues before we make a formal bid," Caborn said.
"You look at places like the Emirates Stadium and football grounds up and down the country and we have some of the best stadia in the world so as sports minister I'd be disappointed if we didn't bid."
London is already due to host the 2012 Olympics and if England were to bid for football's biggest tournament, a successful Games would enhance their chances significantly.
Caborn also pointed to the delayed Wembley Stadium, which once finished will be one of the premier footballing stadia in the world.
However, he admitted it would be a tough task which would require careful consideration.
"The 2012 games will be a great showcase, and I have no doubts at all that if we really want to make a bid for 2018 then we have the stadia, and indeed the organisation that can more than manage that," Caborn added.
"Wembley will be the greatest stadium in the world, and will be a real credit to the nation.
"If we're going to do it, we've got to do it right, and it's got to be well thought out."
Caborn hinted at a bid in 2009, but said feasibility studies would begin in the next few weeks.