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England enlists coaches to support 2018 World Cup bid

ENGLAND is showing off international support for its efforts to host the 2018 World Cup by enlisting the managers of all 20 Premier League clubs to endorse its bid.

The coaches - representing a total of eight nationalities - have each spoken in support of England's bid and five of them have appeared in a video shown to members of FIFA's executive committee and inspection team.

Chelsea's Carlo Ancelotti is one of three Italians coaching in the Premier League, which also features three Scots, three Irishmen, two Frenchmen, two Welshmen, a Spaniard and an Israeli - along with five Englishmen.

Ancelotti led Chelsea to the double of Premier League and FA Cup titles last season in his debut campaign with the west London club, and took to life in England immediately.

"London is full of different cultures and traditions both on the football field and on the streets," Ancelotti said. "What everyone in the city has in common is the universal language of football and this is the same all over England.

"Fans and players from all over the world would find a country in love with the game and I think this would create the environment for fantastic football. England would be a perfect setting for a World Cup."

England, Russia and joint bids from Spain-Portugal and the Netherlands-Belgium are in an expected four-way race among European candidates for 2018 hosting rights.

FIFA chooses the host on Dec. 2.

"The structures of the game are absolutely fantastic everywhere and the facilities that England can offer the world are truly first class," Arsenal's French manager, Arsene Wenger, said. "I have been involved with this bid personally as I strongly believe it would benefit football here and around the world for years to come.

"I hope we all have something to celebrate in December when FIFA makes its decision."

FIFA president Sepp Blatter will meet Britain Prime Minister David Cameron in London next week and discuss government support for England's bid.

Cameron invited Blatter to 10 Downing Street in May, within days of taking office and on the eve of England's bid leaders presenting FIFA with technical plans to host the finals.

"I have had the privilege of working in countries around the world where football plays a key role in people's day to day lives," said Liverpool's Roy Hodgson, who has worked in countries including Italy, Sweden and Switzerland. "However, in terms of the level of passion for the game, nothing compares to that of supporters in England.

"Hosting a World Cup in this country would not only inspire the next generation of football enthusiasts here but also children around the world."



 

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