Leeds has been announced as a host city at the 2018 FIFA World Cup should England be named as the host country.

The Football Association made the announcement this afternoon (Wednesday) that Leeds will join 11 other cities across the country to stage matches in 2018.

The news was met with cheers and celebrations by Leeds City Council, Marketing Leeds and Leeds United which have worked together to prepare and submit the bid on behalf of the Leeds City Region*.

Leeds will now work with the Football Association and the 11 other successful cities to help ensure England’s bid to FIFA is as strong as possible.

Reacting to the news, Councillor Andrew Carter, the leader of Leeds City Council, said:
“This is fantastic news. Leeds would make an ideal World Cup host city and we are now a step closer to making it a reality.

“A very strong bid was submitted to the FA, outlining why Leeds and the Leeds City Region should be part of the World Cup if England is named as the host country. Our proud football heritage, passion for sport and vision to leave a lasting legacy after the tournament makes us a perfect venue to be a host city for the world’s biggest sporting event.

“Hosting matches would put Leeds firmly on the world map and give a multi-million pound boost to the local economy. I would like to thank everybody who has been involved in preparing and submitting the bid and everyone who has voted and given their support. We will now work closely with the FA to ensure England’s bid to be the 2018 World Cup host is as good as it can possibly be.”

Footballing legends - including Norman Hunter and Peter Lorimer - have supported the bid alongside local school children, poets, touring Thai ladyboys, local knitters and international Olympic delegations to raise awareness of the bid and encourage people to vote for Leeds to be part of the biggest sporting event in the world.

The bid, which was submitted to the FA at Wembley Stadium in November, received support from around the world from former and future World Cup host cities – Dortmund in Germany and Durban in South Africa - as well as Lille in France and Brasov in Romania after both countries’ national teams played group matches in Leeds during Euro 96.

A delegation, led by Councillor Andrew Carter, travelled to London earlier this week for a final one hour presentation to the Football Association on why Leeds’ bid should be successful. The presentation focused on Elland Road, the quality of the city region’s training, hotel and entertainment facilities, the Leeds football pedigree and major events experience.

The host country for 2018 will be announced by FIFA in December 2010.


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