Host cities for England's 2018 World Cup bid named

Derby, Leicester and Hull have missed out on selection as candidate host cities for England's 2018 World Cup bid.

England 2018 deputy chairman Lord Mawhinney announced the successful candidates, which included Milton Keynes, Plymouth and several venues yet to be built.

Mawhinney, the Football League chairman who headed the selection panel, told a news conference: "England's fortunate to have so many good stadia and I would like to congratulate all of the applicant host cities for the seven months of really hard work they have put in.

"We have chosen cities which present the lowest possible risk to FIFA and it's FIFA who will make the final decision.

"There will also be a lot of disappointed football fans around the country, I understand that - and if I was a fan of theirs I would be just as disappointed."

Mawhinney named 16 venues across 12 different cities, with four in London.

However, FIFA regulations state only three stadia can be used in any one city, with a decision to be made between the new White Hart Lane or Olympic Stadium.

White Hart Lane is one of the stadia yet to be built or redeveloped, with the others being Ashton Vale stadium in Bristol and Nottingham's Forest's new ground.

Mawhinney also revealed that Anfield or "new Anfield" would be used.

The full list is as follows:

Sunderland - Stadium of Light

London - Wembley Stadium

Birmingham - Villa Park

Manchester - City of Manchester Stadium

Nottingham - the new Nottingham Forest stadium

London - Emirates Stadium

Leeds - Elland Road

Sheffield - Hillsborough

Newcastle/Gateshead - St James' Park

Bristol - the new Ashton Vale stadium

London - the new White Hart Lane or Olympic Stadium

Plymouth - Home Park

Manchester - Old Trafford

Liverpool - Anfield or new Anfield

Milton Keynes - Stadium MK

For more World Cup news, go to www.worldcup.tribalfootball.com

Poignant

17 Dec 09, 01:58

Leeds make cut as host city for 2018 World Cup

Leeds has been announced as a host city for the 2018 FIFA World Cup along with 12 other cities, should England be named as the host nation.

Leeds City Council leader Andrew Carter said: "This is fantastic news. Leeds would make an ideal World Cup host city and we are now a step closer to making it a reality.

"A very strong bid was submitted to the FA, outlining why Leeds and the Leeds city region should be part of the World Cup if England is named as the host country.

"Our proud football heritage, passion for sport and vision to leave a lasting legacy after the tournament makes us a perfect venue to be a host city for the world's biggest sporting event. Hosting matches would put Leeds firmly on the world map and give a multi-million pound boost to the local economy."

For more World Cup news, go to www.worldcup.tribalfootball.com