15 English cities bid to host games at World Cup 2018

The cities who want to be part of the greatest show on earth made their pitch at Wembley to be told by 2018 World Cup bid chiefs: “We mustn’t let you down.”

After weeks where the campaign has been dogged by political in-fighting, capped by this week’s bombshell resignation of Premier League chairman Sir David Richards, yesterday was a chance for showcasing England’s cause.

A total of 15 cities, proposing 20 stadia across the length and breadth of the country, handed in their submissions to host World Cup games.

Wembley will be the venue for the opening game and final if England wins FIFA hearts and minds when the key vote is taken in Zurich next December, although a maximum of two grounds from the 2012 Olympic Stadium, the Emirates and Tottenham’s proposed new home will be selected.

Manchester - with both Old Trafford and Eastlands - Birmingham, Newcastle, Sunderland and Liverpool, whether Anfield or the planned new ground in Stanley Park - are certain to be named as official host cities on December 16.

But the others will be drawn from a pool of Bristol, Plymouth, Milton Keynes, Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Sheffield, Leeds and Hull.

With insiders speaking about yesterday representing "day one of the real bid" chief executive Andy Anson vowed: "It is now time to go on the front foot and do everything we can to convince FIFA that we are the right place to host the World Cup.

"I’m not going to pretend that I’ve enjoyed everything that has gone on recently but we now need to move forward.

"We all understand that this is a winnable bid. We have to put the other issues behind us so that we can win it.

"Today was a fantastic day, to see all the energy and passion from the cities that want to be part of the World Cup, and a very significant day as well.

"I don’t believe there is a single person in the country who does not want to see the World Cup here in England.

"But that means all of us have to pull together. We all have a responsibility to the fans and the cities who have put in so much work to ensure we do everything we can to convince FIFA to vote for England."

Former stars including Paul Gascoigne, Alan Shearer, David Ginola and Peter Beardsley presented Newcastle's credentials, while Plymouth's bid - involving plans for a new 40,000-seat stadium - was delivered by hot air balloon.

As part of the process, the 15 cities signed legally-enforceable contracts with FIFA making guarantees over the technical aspects required by the world governing body.

These included stadium capacity - the minimum is 40,000 - transport infrastructure, training and hotel bases, hospitality areas and housing the global media.

All the rival cities have put up cash promises totalling £350million plus £250,000 from each winning city for campaigning.

The bids will be mulled over by a panel led by Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney, Anson and chief operating officer Simon Johnson ahead of D-Day next month.

England’s opponents include Russia, joint bids from Spain and Portugal and Holland and Belgium, the USA and Australia.

But Anson added: "FIFA may feel that holding 2018 in Europe is the most commercially attractive idea after tournaments in South Africa and Brazil in 2014.

"In that case we have to try to show we are the ones to get over the line in Europe.

"On the technical side, I feel we are ahead of schedule, even though we do not have to meet those requirements until we hand in the official Bid Book to FIFA next year.

"What matters now is that we do what we can to convince all 24 members of the FIFA executive committee of the strength of our bid.

"Some of them may make up their minds early; some may not do so until the last minute.

"What David Beckham does next week in Cape Town, when he meets all the of FIFA people ahead of the World Cup draw, is very important.

"That interaction could be key. I believe we have a fantastically credible option which none of our rivals can compete with. Now we have to work together to show it.”