Since its inception in June 2009, World Football Insider (http://www.worldfootballinsider.com) has covered the multi-billion dollar international football industry.

This month it has focused on the respective bids from England, Australia and other nations.

The 10 categories featured are: bid operations/leadership; wow factor and unique selling points; relations with FIFA Executive Committee members; cost and funding resources; government and public support; international PR; venue plans; security; transport and accommodation; and legacy.

In it, England scores 64 out of 100 possible points and leads the index. Australia follows with 62, with Russia and Qatar tied on 61 and the US on 60.

Notching sub-60 scores are joint bids from Holland-Belgium and Spain-Portugal, while Japan, Korea and Indonesia are well behind the pack.

But Australia matched England on the WPI index for the 'Wow Factor' and 'Unique Selling Points' and rated higher in 'Government/Public support' and 'Legacy'.

England however easily wins in the 'Venue plans' category.

World Football Insider - 2018/2022 World Cup Bid Power Index - Feb 2010

 Eng 

 Aus 

 Qat 

 Rus 

 USA 

Spn-Ptg

 Kor 

 Hol-Bel 

 Jap 

 Ind

Bid operation/leadership

6

6

6

6

6

4

5

5

4

3

Wow factor and USPs

8

8

6

5

5

5

4

4

4

5

Relation w/ FIFA members

6

5

6

7

7

8

6

5

5

4

Cost/funding resources

6

5

8

8

6

5

5

5

5

6

Government/public support

6

7

6

7

5

5

6

6

6

3

International PR

6

6

7

6

6

4

6

5

5

2

Venue plans

8

5

5

6

7

7

6

7

6

4

Security

6

6

5

5

6

6

6

6

6

3

Transport/Accommodation

7

7

5

4

8

7

6

7

6

4

Legacy

5

7

7

7

4

5

6

6

6

7

Bid Power Index Totals

64

62

61

61

60

56

56

56

53

41

(Note: individual scores out of 10 possible)


In other World Cup bid news, insiders in Europe have told au.fourfourtwo.com that the reason for the recent shock departure of key FFA bid strategist and media chief Bonnie Mersiades was an apparent power struggle with FFA's Europe-based bid consultant Peter Hargitay.

The Bid Book - a summary of the technical aspects of each bid - is due this May 14.