Beckenbauer Backing England 2018 Bid

Franz Beckenbauer, an influential member of the FIFA executive committee, has
voiced his support of an England bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

In a media interview over the weekend, Beckenbauer expressed his opinion that
the current rotation system via continent for the World Cup should end and that
he viewed England as the main choice for 2018.

He stated: ‘There is no better country in Europe to host the World Cup in
2018. England is the favourite. The most important thing is to end the rotation
and bring the tournament back to Europe.

‘The Premier League at the moment is the best league in Europe and the
stadiums are outstanding. In my opinion, there is only one very serious
candidate and it is England. I think there is not really a problem to pick a
host of the 2018 World Cup.’

England are set to officially launch a bid for the 2018 World Cup when the
bidding process opens next year with former Minister for Sport Richard Caborn
already appointed as World Cup ambassador.

South Africa is hosting the 2010 World Cup with the 2014 tournament set to
head to South America with Brazil the favourite to land the event.

Despite gaining the backing of Beckenbauer, who headed Germany’s organising
committee for the 2006 World Cup, is expected to face competition from the likes
of Italy and Russia among other European nations.