Greg Dyke, Football Association Chairman, has come out and said England may bid to host the World Cup in 2016.
With the announcement that Englishman David Gill has been appointed Britain’s next FIFA Vice-President, Greg Dyke has stated that England’s prospects of bidding for the 2026 World Cup have certainly increased.
Gill, the former Manchester United chief executive, beat the Welsh FA’s President, Trefor Lloyd Hughes, to the position that starts this May. Dyke claims that Gill’s new position will help him get a better inside track of the processes at FIFA and uncover exactly how above board they are.
However, there is one major obstacle to a potential World Cup bid – Sepp Blatter. Dyke has admitted that there is no chance of an English bid while Blatter remains in his post.
Dyke may be in luck – there seems to be an enthusiasm surrounding the next FIFA Presidency election that hasn’t been seen in recent times, with footballers such as David Ginola and Luis Figo putting their names in the mix, making it clear a change is needed.
England were unsuccessful in their bid to host the 2018 tournament, losing out to Russia, and receiving just two votes. Hopefully with a change in personnel will bring with it a change in English chances.