FIFA officials visit region for World Cup 2018 bid

Aug 23 2010 by Katie Davies, The Journal

THE region’s bid to host World Cup football will take a crucial step forward this week as FIFA officials visit Newcastle and Sunderland to assess the two cities’ case for staging matches in 2018.

The FIFA inspection team will travel to both Tyneside and Wearside as part of a series of planned events for Back the Bid week – which aims to generate as much support as possible for England’s bid to stage the 2018 World Cup.

The two North East cities, as well as Manchester and London, will welcome Chilean Federation President, Harold Mayne-Nicholls, who leads the inspection team.

David Faulkner, who takes over as leader of Newcastle Council in the autumn, welcomed the news.

Mr Faulkner, chair of the Newcastle- Gateshead World Cup Champions group, said he was “delighted” the delegation was visiting the region. He said he would be meeting the officials along with Newcastle United managing director Derek Llambias and former England and Newcastle star Peter Beardsley to present their case as to why NewcastleGateshead and England should host World Cup football in 2018.

“This is a special opportunity to showcase our city, fantastic stadia and passion for football to the most influential organisation in football,” he said.