Japan’s “Big Idea” could be the biggest of the lot
By David Owen in Zurich
December 1 – There is no doubt about the biggest ‘Big Idea’ to have emerged during this 2022 World Cup hosting competition.
Qatar turns up the heat by asking: “When?”
By David Owen in Zurich
December 1 – After the glitz and razzmatazz of their money-no-object campaign, the Qatar bid team treated FIFA’s top brass to a serious-minded presentation that was comparatively low on frills in Zurich this afternoon.
Korea World Cup “would serve as a gateway for lasting peace”
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
December 1 – South Korea used the prospect of better relations with the north of the peninsula to maximum effect when they made their final 2022 World Cup presentation to FIFA’s executive committee today.
Australia off to a bouncing start with the Elle and Skippy show
By David Owen in Zurich
December 1 – Australia got today’s 2022 World Cup bid presentations off to an endearing start in FIFA’s home city of Zurich this afternoon, with supermodel Elle Macpherson (pictured) sharing top billing with a kleptomaniac animated kangaroo.
Vote momentum swinging in England’s favour claims Beckham
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
December 1 – David Beckham is convinced the World Cup momentum is swinging back in England’s favour as the odds on who will stage the 2018 and 2022 tournaments continued to fluctuate today.
Japan pulls out an ace for final World Cup bid presentation
December 1 – Japan’s 2022 World Cup Bid Committee has pulled out its ace by announcing that Sir Howard Stringer, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Sony Corporation, will join its final presentation to the FIFA Executive Committee today.
Oceania to miss out on World Cup vote
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By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
December 1 – The numbers of voters at tomorrow’s double World Cup ballot will remain at 22 after Reynald Temarii dramatically refused to resign from FIFA’s Executive Committee leaving Oceania without a say in deciding the host nations for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
Hayatou claims his conscience is clear over Panorama bribe claim
By Andrew Warshasw in Zurich
November 30 – FIFA vice-president Issa Hayatou is threatening legal action against the BBC’s Panorama programme over their claim he accepted bribes.
David Owen: Time for a changing of the guard at FIFA
The BBC’s Panorama programme told us nothing new about the 2018-22 World Cup campaign.
But it underlined the need for a changing of the guard in FIFA’s upper echelons.
World football’s governing body plainly has no intention of further investigating the nature of links between football officials and the ISMM/ISL sports marketing organisation which collapsed nearly a decade ago.
Fallout from Panorama probe intensifies
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
November 30 – The fallout from BBC claims of corruption against high-ranking FIFA officials intensified today when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced it would be investigating those involving FIFA vice-president Issa Hayatou, who is also an IOC member.
England World Cup “would generate most profit for FIFA”
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
November 30 – After weeks of corruption allegations that have rocked their hopes of staging the 2018 World Cup, England have at last received some potentially vital good news.
Will he or won’t he? Russians coy about Putin appearance at World Cup vote
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
November 30 – Will Vladimir Putin come or won’t he? That was the burning question on everyone’s lips as Russia’s 2018 World Cup bid team made their final media appearance today before putting the finishing touches to their campaign to become hosts for the first time.
Platini plays down BBC investigation into corruption
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
November 30 – UEFA president Michel Platini has played down a BBC investigation into alleged corruption within FIFA and says it should not affect England’s bid for the 2018 World Cup.
Exclusive: England must stress core strengths of bid to host World Cup, states Robertson
By Tom Degun in London
November 30 – Sport and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson told insideworldfootball England must stress the core elements of their 2018 World Cup bid to the all-important 22 FIFA voting members.
Exclusive: Oceania hope for World Cup vote without Temarii admitting guilt
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
November 29 – The 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding process was plunged into further disarray today when it emerged that Oceania may still be allowed to vote without suspended FIFA Executive Committee member Reynald Temarii having to waive his right of appeal.