Star-studded line-up for African Nations Cup draw
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November 17 – A star-studded line-up featuring pop stars and politicians are set to attend the draw for the 2010 African Nations Cup being staged by tournament host Angola in Luanda on Friday.
Sutcliffe claims he came up with idea of slashing England 2018 Board
November 17 – Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe (pictured) has claimed that it was his idea for England 2018 to streamline its Board so that it could focus on the campaign to bring the World Cup back to the country for the first time since 1966.
Exclusive: England are behind Russia and Spain warns bid ambassador
By Tom Degun
November 17 – England have been warned by Tony Woodcock (pictured), one of its high-profile ambassadors, that they are behind European rivals Russia and Spain and Portugal’s joint bid in the race to host the 2018 World Cup.
Beckham cup final appearance sparks ticket rush
November 17 – David Beckham’s (pictured) appearance in the MLS Cup Final on Sunday has sparked a late rush for tickets at Qwest Field in Seattle with organisers putting another 6,000 on sale.
Chelsea communications director to join England 2018 bid
By Duncan Mackay
November 16 – Simon Greenberg (pictured), the communications and public affairs director at Chelsea, has been appointed as chief of staff for England’s 2018 World Cup bid with special responsibilities with strategic communications.
Iraq FA disbanded over allegations of financial problems
November 16 – The Iraqi Football Association (IFA) has been disbanded by the country’s Olympic Committee because of alleged financial and administrative irregularities and the repeated delaying of internal elections.
England join World Cup rivals at Soccerex
November 16 – England 2018 will promote their bid to host the World Cup at the Soccerex Global Convention in South Africa later this month to bring the total of rival bidders taking a presence in Johannesburg to six, over half of those competing to stage the event.
David Owen: Pace of change leaves me in no doubt Qatar could stage 2022 World Cup
“It was desert in July 2003.”
The Aspire academy for sports excellence – along with the city-centre skyline – is perhaps the most dramatic illustration of the pace at which Doha is changing.
Exclusive: US World Cup would break spectator records Downs promises
By David Owen
November 16 – A World Cup in the United States could attract a staggering five million live spectators, according to a top 2018/2022 US bid committee official.
Bin Hammam claims that England’s World Cup bid is still on track
By Duncan Mackay in Doha
November 15 – England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup is doing as well as its rivals, Mohamed Bin Hammam (pictured), the President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), said here today.
Qatar the winner as Doha showcases 2022 World Cup bid
By Duncan Mackay in Doha
November 14 – England lost 1-0 to Brazil in the Khalifa Stadium here tonight but the real winner was Qatar’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup as fans from both sets of countries praised the organisation and atmosphere of the occasion.
Exclusive: Warner renews attack on England 2018 World Cup bid
By Andrew Warshaw
November 14 – FIFA vice-president Jack Warner (pictured), the man who undermined England’s 2018 World Cup bid, has launched another verbal broadside, this time taking Premier League clubs to task for refusing to release players for international duty and denouncing the Football Association for rejecting a request to play a friendly against his country.
Wales want to make Ford the real thing
By Duncan Mackay
November 14 – Jonathan Ford (pictured), a senior executive with Coca-Cola, has been offered the £100,000 a year job of chief executive of the Football Association of Wales (FAW).
England pin 2018 World Cup hopes on Beckham
By Duncan Mackay in Doha
November 13 – David Beckham (pictured) has been asked to rescue England’s faltering 2018 World Cup by travelling to Cape Town next month to try to influence the 24 men who will decide which country hosts the event.
Analysis: Can Geoff Thompson help save England’s World Cup bid?
By Andrew Warshaw
November 13 – Call it papering over the cracks, wielding the axe. Call it what you will. The one question that remains as baffling now as it did before, following the restructuring of England’s 2018 World Cup bid board, is this. Why on earth wasn’t Geoff Thompson (pictured) brought on board from the start?