Fifa Begins 2018 World Cup Inspections
FIFA inspectors have arrived in Japan to begin their two-month tour of the nine countries bidding to stage the World Cup in 2018 and 2022.
The team will spend three days with each of the bidders to inspect stadiums and other facilities.
The inspectors will arrive in England between the 23rd and 26th August to assess a campaign that has been blighted with controversy.
Former bid chairman Lord Triesman resigned after he was caught up in a newspaper sting where he suggested Spain could drop its bid if Russia helped bribe referees at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Geoff Thompson is now chairman of England’s bid and the 1,752-page bid document was handed over to FIFA by David Beckham in May.
The inspectors will also travel to South Korea, Australia, Netherlands/Belgium, Russia, Spain/Portugal, Qatar and the United States who are all bidding to host the tournament.
With Europe reportedly thought to be favoured for the 2018 World Cup, Japan and Australia are looking to concentrate on the 2022 tournament.
