Beckenbauer in England hint

Germany legend says England could stage finals 'tomorrow'

Last updated: 5th July 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Beckenbauer in England hint

Beckenbauer: England support?

Related links

Teams

Also see

Fifa committee member Franz Beckenbauer has hinted he would support England's bid to stage either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup finals.

Beckenbauer, a World Cup winner as player and manager for West Germany, sits on the board that will decide who will host the upcoming World Cups.

England, who missed out on the 2006 finals to Germany, are bidding to host one of the tournaments and Beckenbauer would be happy backing a nation who would be able to host the prestigious tournament 'tomorrow'.

Beckenbauer is keen for the showpiece event to return to Europe with South Africa hosting next year's finals and the 2014 tournament to be showcased by five-time winners Brazil.

Open race

"As a Uefa member, I would like to see it in Europe but it is an open race," he told Australia's Sun-Herald newspaper.

"England could host it tomorrow because they have the stadiums, the infrastructure, the fans, everything.

"But there are a lot of other different countries bidding. Let's wait and see."