England 2018 was the Football Association's unsuccessful bid for the right to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[1] FIFA invited bidding countries to bid for either the 2018 or the 2022 finals, or both. The FA initially decided to bid for both, but with the withdrawal of all non-European bids for the 2018 event, this bid, and that of all other European bidding nations, were effectively disqualified from eligibility for the 2022 edition.
England's bid was managed by England 2018/2022 Bidding Nation Ltd. This company was established by The FA for the purpose of bringing the World Cup tournament to England for the first time since 1966. England attempted to host the 2006 FIFA World Cup but lost out to Germany. England hosted the 1966 FIFA World Cup and had the campaign been successful, England would have become the sixth nation to host the World Cup for a second time.[2] It won the right to host Euro 1996. Andy Anson, the chief executive of England 2018, called for humility with England's bid claiming they "must not fall victim to arrogance" and that lessons had been learned from the unsuccessful attempt to host the 2006 competition. Anson stated that "the tone of this campaign has to be different.[3]
- ^ White, Duncan (16 May 2009). "David Beckham will kick off England's 2018 World Cup bid". Telegraph.co.uk. London: Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on 19 May 2009. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
- ^ "BBC Sport: The race to host World Cup 2018". BBC. 17 March 2009. Retrieved 11 February 2009.
- ^ "2018 bid chief calls for humility". BBC Sport. 18 May 2009. Retrieved 18 May 2009.