Brown welcomes Fifa decision

Brown: Delighted

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Prime Minister Gordon Brown has expressed his delight at Fifa opening the door for England to bid to stage the 2018 World Cup finals.

Fifa's old policy of continent rotation had ruled England out of the running, however, a recent decision to change the guidelines means they are now free to put their case forward.

Brown believes England are well-placed to win the bidding after going over half a century without staging the prestigious tournament.

"I am delighted that Fifa have opened the door for the World Cup to come back to England," stated Brown.

"By 2018 it will be 52 years since England hosted the World Cup. The nation which gave football to the world deserves to have the greatest tournament back on these shores.

"With the Olympics in 2012, possibly the Commonwealth Games in 2014, the Rugby World Cup in 2015 and the cricket World Cup in 2019, a football World Cup in 2018 would crown what I believe can be the greatest decade ever for British sport.

Government backing

"If the Football Association decide to go ahead and bid for the tournament, they know they will have the full support of the Government behind them, and we will make it our mission to persuade other countries to back us in bringing the World Cup back to England."

FA chairman Geoff Thompson is also pleased with the decision and has confirmed the governing body are now evaluating their ability to make a bid.

"We welcome the move from the Fifa executive committee. The FA will now consider their position," confirmed Thompson.