Npower joins the England 2018 World Cup party
March 11 – First BT, then Morrisons, now Npower.
World Cup
Fourth official and goal line technology on IFAB agenda
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
March 5 – Giving the fourth official a greater say in decision-making and another attempt to introduce goalline technology are the main items on the agenda at Saturday’s annual meeting of the International FA Board, the game’s rule-makers comprising FIFA and the four British Home Associations.
Interpol mounts biggest ever World Cup security operation
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
March 5 – Interpol will mount its biggest ever joint intelligence gathering operation for a sports event at this summer’s World Cup, the organisation’s security chief said today.
FIFA reported to approve Europe-only for 2018
By Andrew Warshaw
February 26 – Non-European nations applying to host the 2018 soccer World Cup have reportedly been told by FIFA they should drop out and concentrate on the 2022 tournament.
Ginola joins 2018 Caribbean venture
By Andrew Warshaw
February 25 – David Ginola kicks off his new role as an ambassador for England’s 2018 World Cup bid by accompanying bid officials to the Caribbean football union Congress this weekend.
Japan appoints three new World Cup bid ambassadors
By David Owen
February 25 - The Japan 2018-2-22 World Cup bid has added three more players to its team of ambassadors.
Warner: South Africa World Cup will break even
By David Owen
February 24 – Jack Warner (pictured) has entered the debate about the wisdom of staging the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, telling insideworldfootball in an exclusive interview that it was “inconceivable” that South Africa could put on as financially successful a tournament as Germany.
Exclusive: Munich 2018 to be promoted by Bundesliga
By Duncan Mackay in Vancouver
February 23 – The Bundesliga, the world’s most popular football league, is to back Munich’s bid to host the 2018 Olympics and Paralympics, it was announced at a special ceremony here tonight.
Qatar: No let-up in the style stakes
By Andrew Warshaw
February 23 – Qatar may not be everyone’s cup of tea as far as hosting the World Cup in 2022 but they have shown once again that if prizes were awarded for stylish presentations as distinct from footballing pedigree, they would be handed the tournament on a plate.
Anson spells out state of play
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By Andrew Warshaw at Wembley
February 23 – David Dein’s (pictured) first role as international president of England’s 2018 World Cup bid will be a face-to-face meeting with Jack Warner, the veteran FIFA powerbroker who famously denounced the bid as too lightweight in October last year.
Qatar unveil Guardiola as 2022 World Cup ambassador
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By Andrew Warshaw in Barcelona
February 18 – Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola today became the latest big name to be unveiled as ambassador for Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid.
Dein given key role by England 2018
By Andrew Warshaw
February 18 – Former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein (pictured) has been appointed international President of England’s 2018 World Cup bid campaign team, it has been announced.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter denounce critics of South Africa hosting the World Cup
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By Andrew Warshaw
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has once again gone on the attack to denounce critics of South Africa hosting the World Cup.
Indonesia 2022 World Cup bid on life-support machine
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By Andrew Warshaw
February 9 – Indonesia’s flagging campaign to stage the 2022 World Cup was hanging by a thread today after it emerged that the Government was still stalling over contributing vital support.
Gullit to lead Holland and Belgium World Cup bid
By Andrew Warshaw
February 9 - Holland and Belgium’s joint bid to stage the 2018 World Cup was given fresh heavyweight impetus today when Ruud Gullit (pictured) was named as bid President.