World Cup Bid Appoints Vice Presidents

In continuing efforts to bring the FIFA World Cup 2018 to the UK, England Football Association has appointed Nick Stern as a vice-president to advise on environmental issues.

Deemed a leading climate-change authority, Lord Stern’s involvement has joined the FA bidding team along with the chief executive of Tesco, Terry Leahy, who has also been named a vice president. Former FA chairman, and current UEFA and FIFA executive committee member, Geoff Thompson, was also appointed.

They join other ambassadorial vice-presidents Chelsea’s chief executive, Peter Kenyon, the England manager, Fabio Capello, and Taylor from the PFA.

Bidding to host the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups will close next year, with the executive committee of FIFA deciding on both before June 2011. Nations that join England in bidding include Australia, Qatar, and Russia.[4] The Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg) have expressed interest in bidding together, as have Portugal and Spain.