[GreatBriton]

Just six years after we host the Olympics, we could also host the football (soccer) World Cup -

England plan 2018 World Cup bid

'Why wouldn't we go for it?'

Staff and agencies
Tuesday August 16, 2005



England football team's new home, Wembley, is under construction It will also be an Olympics venue. Photograph: Getty.

Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick has signalled England's intention to bid to host the 2018 World Cup finals following the success of London's 2012 Olympics campaign.

The FA has not yet finalised its plans, with the World Cup not scheduled to return to Europe after the 2006 tournament in Germany for a further 12 years.

However, Barwick revealed: "I think we would bid further down the line. The next time that it should come to Europe is probably 2018 so we've got enough time to get ourselves organised. "It's right and proper for the London Olympics bid to take precedence. But why wouldn't we go for it?"

England successfully hosted Euro 96, as well as the 1966 World Cup, and have both the stadia and infrastructure to put together a strong bid.

However, their 2006 campaign ended in a costly failure amid controversy over their perceived breaking of the so-called 'gentleman's agreement' not to rival the Germans.

Meanwhile Barwick is hoping England can finally end their 40-year wait to match their 1966 success by succeeding in next summer's tournament.

"I see 2006 as a big year for the Football Association. Hopefully we will qualify for the World Cup and give it a real go," he said. "If and when we qualify, we would go into the World Cup as one of the teams that can win it. It's in the right climate and the right time-zone.

"We have a very good team and are making impressions on European club football too. I think we've made progress as an international footballing nation and can be expected to do well. This country will come to a halt if we do."


guardian.co.uk

[GreatBriton]

The FA HAS decided to bid for the 2018 World Cup. How good if we win the bid, coming just 6 years after the London Olympics.

FA keeps focus on 2018 World Cup

'Brian Barwick has not discussed this issue with Gordon Brown'

Staff and agencies
Friday September 16, 2005



Under the squad rotation system, Jules Rimet's European sojourn was delayed until 2018. Photograph: AP.

The Football Association has confirmed it is pushing ahead with exploratory talks about England bidding for the 2018 World Cup - but insists it will not launch a 'dry run' for the 2014 event.

FA chief executive Brian Barwick has already made known they have identified the tournament in 2018 as a possible target.

Fifa has already said the 2014 World Cup will be held in South America under their rotation system, and the FA today denied that Barwick had had talks with the Treasury about a 2014 bid.

An FA spokesman said: "Brian Barwick has not discussed this issue with Gordon Brown.

"The FA has said publicly that we are serious about a possible bid for the 2018 World Cup and Fifa president Sepp Blatter has also spoken very positively about the idea of the World Cup coming back to England that year."

A Treasury spokesman added: "In the normal course of its business, the Treasury and DCMS are in constant dialogue with the FA and other sports bodies on a range of issues.

"Discussions about a World Cup bid in 2018 are at a very early stage, but we are hopeful we can build on the success of our Olympic bid by bringing the World Cup and other great international sporting events to Britain."


guardian.co.uk

[GreatBriton]

Whilst we are on this subject, I may as well post some pictures of the new Wembley Stadium, which should open in about May 2006.








In summer 2002, work began on the 90,000 capacity Wembley Stadium, the new site of the English National Stadium.

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Building in progress.
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The famous 30m high twin towers of Wembley will be replaced with a spectacular 133m high arch towerering over the 52m high stadium.

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As well as contributing to overall stadium design, the lattice arch supports the sliding roof structure.

The arch over the stadium was illuminated on 12th September to celebrate the England cricket team winning the Ashes.

[GreatBriton]

That will be a London Olympics venue, and so will this stadium, the construction of which starts soon.



It only looks like that with its roof (which is a "skin" that covers the whole stadium) is closed.

and without its roof -


For some reason, I can't find any close-up pics of it without its roof on.

It will have a capacity of 80,000 and will be comleted in 2011.

[GreatBriton]

With 90,000 seats, the new Wembley will be the largest football stadium in the world with every seat under cover (but not THE largest in the world.) There will be NO unobstructed views.

It has a circumference of 1 kilometre.

The London Eye, the world's largest ferris wheel, could fit between the top of the arch and the pitch.

The rows of seating, if placed end to end, would stretch 54 kilometres.

With a span of 315 metres, the arch will be the longest single span roof structure in the world.

The new Wembley is expected to cost a staggering £750m, making it the most expensive sporting arena in the world.

The new stadium in north London is due to open in 2006.

There will be a removable running track, cutting the capacity to 68,400 for staging athletics.

It will seat 90,000 and will have a 'triumphant arch' to replace the Twin Towers.

Leg room is greatly increased and now measures more than was given in the Royal Box in the old stadium.

On a clear day, the arch will be seen from the Canary Wharf, Europe's tallest skyscraper, 13 kilometres away.

A representative from every county of England was involved in the construction of the arch, to ensure no part of England feels left out!

The arch is made of British steel.

Because the arch is so high it is being fitted with a special beacon acting as a warning to low-flying planes. Wembley is the only stadium in the world to have such a beacon

It took 6 days to raise the arch.