The venues that England want to use as the basis of the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup hosting bid have been announced today. The list is not formalised, as FIFA will make the final decision (in 2013) if England are chosen, but would likley act strongly based on the list given to them. Most of the bid involves existing grounds that would already be sufficient, or need redeveloping, and a few that would be built if England were to win the bid.
The only decisions that need to be made involve London’s third venue (FIFA have relaxed their one-city, one-venue rule), which will be either the new White Hart Lane or the London Olympic Stadium, the final choice, if any, depending on each venue’s various problems being overcome. This means that despite their omission today, the three cities that were eliminated (Derby, Hull, and Leicester) could still be included if problems were to arise (or if FIFA make a change from the proposal). The only other ‘or’ in the list is Liverpool, with Anfield or New Anfield to be used depending on the new ground’s development.
The biggest shock of the announcement was the inclusions of Milton Keynes and Plymouth, but was justified by the FA due to reasons such as sustainability and geographical spread.
The venues will all be included in the ‘bid book’ to be sent to the FIFA Executive Comittee next May, with city inspections to occur in August, and the final decisions for the 2018 and 2022 hosts in December 2010.
England 2018 Bid: Venues List:
Birmingham – Villa Park
Bristol – New ‘Ashton Vale’ Stadium
Leeds – Elland Road
Liverpool – Anfield or New Anfield
London – Wembley Stadium
London – Emirates Stadium
London – New White Hart Lane or London Olympic Stadium
Manchester – Old Trafford
Manchester – City of Manchester Stadium
Milton Keynes – stadium:mk
Newcastle – St. James’ Park
Nottingham – New Nottingham Forest Stadium
Plymouth – New Home Park
Sheffield – Hillsborough
Sunderland – Stadium of Light
Eliminated Cities:
Derby – Pride Park
Hull – KC Stadium
Leicester – Walkers Stadium
Other Venues Eliminated:
Sheffield – Brammall Lane
Liverpool – Goodison Park or New Everton Stadium
Birmingham – New Birmingham City Stadium
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