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Fergie bolsters Eng's 2018 bid

London - Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United great Sir Bobby Charlton will be among those guiding the six-man FIFA team inspecting England's 2018 World Cup bid around Old Trafford on Wednesday.

United manager Ferguson was in no doubt of England's suitability to stage the World Cup, saying: "The facilities for both players and fans are magnificent, from training grounds to stadia and the passion of the English people for the game would ensure that everybody would be made to feel welcome.

"It would be a memorable occasion and would inspire people all over the world," the Scot added.

Russia are seen as England's main rivals to stage the 2018 World Cup.

But FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who has already praised Russia's bid, said it would be "easy" to hold the competition in England.

Blatter, speaking to the insideworldfootball website, from Singapore on Monday, said: "The easiest way to organise the World Cup is to go to England.

"Everything is there -- fans, stadiums, infrastructure -- it's easy."

However, as for Russia's bid, he added: "You cannot deny Russia if they bid for something. They are a big continent, a big power."

Britain's Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Tuesday that were FIFA to stage the World Cup in England "it would be embraced by the whole nation with sold-out grounds for every game and fans from around the globe welcomed with open arms."

Hunt added an estimate from leading global accountancy firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers showed a World Cup in England would generate three billion pounds.

"This would help us build a lasting legacy from the tournament -- using football as a force for good around the world that would build on the work the FA (Football Association) does on international development," Hunt said.

The FIFA team was greeted by Britain's Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg at Downing Street on Monday and met with England manager Fabio Capello before taking a tour of Wembley Stadium.

England has staged the World Cup just once, in 1966, when a team featuring Charlton also won the tournament for the only time in England's history.

They are also competing with the United States, and joint bids from Spain and Portugal, and Holland and Belgium to host the 2018 tournament.

The winning bids for the 2018 and the 2022 World Cup will be revealed on December 2. The 2014 tournament will be held in Brazil.

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