England hopeful over 2018 World Cup bidding
England’s bid president David Dein remains hopeful that the country will win the right to host World Cup 2018.
Dein, the former Arsenal vice-chairman, and his team have travelled to Zurich ahead of Thursday’s vote, and England are reportedly behind Russia and the combined Spain and Portugal bid in the race.
However, Dein told reporters: "Am I optimistic? I'm very realistic, because you're in the hands of 22 individuals and one's got to hope we've given them enough ammunition to vote for us.
"I can only go back to the Euro 2016 vote a few months ago between France and Turkey. There were 13 votes and the night before everybody thought France had 10 in the bag. When it came to the result they won 7-6. So you can never tell with football politics.
"Many of them probably have made their minds up in advance, but you never know.
"This has been a labour of love. I haven't travelled around the world several times just to get air miles. We have our best team out there in Zurich to try and bring the World Cup to England.
"There will be intense lobbying in the hope that there may be the odd voter who has perhaps not made up his mind. We have got to work it right up to the end."