Report boosts England World Cup bid

England’s bid for the 2018 World Cup will be boosted today when it is officially judged as “low risk” in FIFA’s evaluation reports of the bidding countries.

The reports are to be published this morning and it can be revealed England will be on a par with current favourites Spain/Portugal.

FIFA’s inspectors have raised issues with all of the four bids for 2018 and the concerns about England surround training camps, the number of contracted hotel rooms and training camp hotels.

Spain/Portugal are also a “low legal risk” but are told they need a proper safety and security strategy.

The concerns about Russia’s bid, also a “low legal risk”, are regarding their transport plan, particularly in relation to air traffic, and is a much more costly and difficult issue in such a vast country.

Holland/Belgium are judged a “medium legal risk” as the necessary government guarantees have not been provided.

Although the FIFA inspectors’ report is broadly positive about all the bids, England look to have received marginally better marks than their main rivals - some much-needed good news after a month of media-related setbacks.

On England, the report states: “The bidder has not contracted the required number of venue-specific training sites or venue-specific team hotels,” says the report.

“The fact that not many of the rooms have been contracted in full compliance with FIFA’s template hotel agreement requires further analysis and potentially renegotiation. FIFA could be exposed to excessive pricing.”

On Russia, the report says: “The country’s vastness and its remoteness from other countries, coupled with the fact that the high speed rail network is limited... would put pressure on the air traffic infrastructure potentially causing transfer challenges.

“Any delay in the completion of transport projects could impact on FIFA’s tournament operations and the proposed installation of temporary facilities could impose a high cost burden.”

Spain/Portugal look to have the fewest criticisms, but the security issue is a serious one. The report states: “A clear operational concept has not been specified for safety and security.”

Like Holland/Belgium, the inspectors state co-hosting represents a challenge.

The evaluation reports for the 2022 World Cup bidders will also be published tomorrow, and the inspectors have warned that Qatar’s searing summer heat could be a “potential health risk for players, officials, the FIFA family and spectators”.

Meanwhile, FIFA’s ethics committee will tomorrow announce their findings into separate investigations into corruption and collusion claims.

Two FIFA executive committee members, Nigeria’s Amos Adamu and Tahiti’s Reynald Temarii, have been alleged by the Sunday Times to have asked for cash for projects in exchange for votes. Other low-ranking FIFA officials also face sanctions, and all deny any wrongdoing.

The collusion allegation is that Qatar and Spain/Portugal have done a deal for votes in contravention of FIFA rules.