FIFA president Sepp Blatter will visit to Downing Street today to meet Prime Minister David Cameron as England's bid for the 2018 World Cup gears up for the final phase of the contest.
Blatter met deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in the summer but has now accepted an invitation to meet Cameron face to face at Number 10.
The FIFA president will watch a presentation on England's bid and will meet Government ministers as well as several football figures and bid ambassadors. FIFA's 24-man executive committee will vote on the 2018 and 2022 hosts on December 2.
England 2018 chairman Geoff Thompson said: "The Prime Minister spoke with President Blatter shortly after taking office to reiterate the British Government's support for the bid and to invite him to Downing Street.
"We are delighted the FIFA president has accepted and we are honoured that he and FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke will be visiting England so close to the decision in December.
"We will take this opportunity to provide first-hand evidence of England's passion for the game and confirm our intention to produce a commercially successful FIFA World Cup that creates a new global fund to provide benefits across the world for many generations to come.
"It will be a tremendous show of support from across the country and we are grateful to the Prime Minster for allowing this meeting to take place."
Thompson said the meeting would be used to emphasise legacy plans that are key elements of the England bid.
Blatter will also meet London mayor Boris Johnson before returning to Zurich tonight.
Blatter and Cameron will see a film featuring David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard, Kolo Toure and Asamoah Gyan which has been specially tailored for the visit of the FIFA president.
In the video Beckham, an England 2018 vice-president, says: "Football has been my life. I am incredibly proud of what I have achieved - but what gives me most pride is the work I can do to help young people that's why I founded the David Beckham Academy.
"I am inspired by what England promises to do. I hope you will be too. Football United, imagine the type of change we could create together."
In an article backing England's bid, national team captain Ferdinand says: "I am confident this country would host a fantastic World Cup that would be for the good of the game around the world.
"We have superb stadiums, amazing training facilities and the infrastructure for visitors to have an unforgettable experience.
"Above all, the passion for football at every level is second to none in England; we want to share that with the world. We want to open our doors and welcome people from around the globe to a sporting festival like never before.
"In the Premier League we have players from all different nationalities and cultures, they come together and make it a very special place to play football. It would be extra special to have a World Cup here.
"I believe it would have a huge impact on England players; both the youngsters who could play in the tournament in eight years, and the kids that will watch it and be inspired to play the game."
The FIFA president will watch a presentation on England's bid and will meet Government ministers as well as several football figures and bid ambassadors. FIFA's 24-man executive committee will vote on the 2018 and 2022 hosts on December 2.
England 2018 chairman Geoff Thompson said: "The Prime Minister spoke with President Blatter shortly after taking office to reiterate the British Government's support for the bid and to invite him to Downing Street.
"We are delighted the FIFA president has accepted and we are honoured that he and FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke will be visiting England so close to the decision in December.
"We will take this opportunity to provide first-hand evidence of England's passion for the game and confirm our intention to produce a commercially successful FIFA World Cup that creates a new global fund to provide benefits across the world for many generations to come.
"It will be a tremendous show of support from across the country and we are grateful to the Prime Minster for allowing this meeting to take place."
Thompson said the meeting would be used to emphasise legacy plans that are key elements of the England bid.
Blatter will also meet London mayor Boris Johnson before returning to Zurich tonight.
Blatter and Cameron will see a film featuring David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard, Kolo Toure and Asamoah Gyan which has been specially tailored for the visit of the FIFA president.
In the video Beckham, an England 2018 vice-president, says: "Football has been my life. I am incredibly proud of what I have achieved - but what gives me most pride is the work I can do to help young people that's why I founded the David Beckham Academy.
"I am inspired by what England promises to do. I hope you will be too. Football United, imagine the type of change we could create together."
In an article backing England's bid, national team captain Ferdinand says: "I am confident this country would host a fantastic World Cup that would be for the good of the game around the world.
"We have superb stadiums, amazing training facilities and the infrastructure for visitors to have an unforgettable experience.
"Above all, the passion for football at every level is second to none in England; we want to share that with the world. We want to open our doors and welcome people from around the globe to a sporting festival like never before.
"In the Premier League we have players from all different nationalities and cultures, they come together and make it a very special place to play football. It would be extra special to have a World Cup here.
"I believe it would have a huge impact on England players; both the youngsters who could play in the tournament in eight years, and the kids that will watch it and be inspired to play the game."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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