England's 2018 World Cup bid praised

The FIFA team, led by the Chilean federation president Harold Mayne-Nicholls, praised England's readiness to host the tournament, the level of government support, the world-class stadiums, the passion for the game in the country, the social projects of clubs and the involvement of youth.

Mayne-Nicholls told the England 2018 chief executive Andy Anson in Manchester yesterday that a number of aspects of the bid were "perfect", before departing for Manchester Airport.