David Owen: World Cup bid race is beginning to hot up

As we approach the final week of the contest to decide where the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will be played, in just the last day or so it has emerged that:

● British Prime Minister David Cameron is to spend the best part of three days in Zurich, lobbying for the England 2018 bid. This after inviting Jack Warner, one of the most influential FIFA Executive Committee members, to lunch.

● Russia’s Government are making final plans for a visit to the Swiss city by Vladimir Putin, the Russian Prime Minister and one of the world’s most formidable power brokers.

● Former US President Bill Clinton, also expected in Zurich, has written an article for Sports Illustrated on the USA’s bid for the 2022 competition.