The stadia are in place. Old Trafford, the Emirates and the rest, all tried and tested and universally acknowledged as among the world's safest and best.

The magnificent Wembley arch dominates the skyline above a national stadium which has had its problems in development and in producing a world class surface but which is now perfect to host the world's most prestigious sporting event.

On top of that England has been given a 'low risk' security category and the hotels, roads and general infrastructure are all in place.

More than that there is a passion which no other nation can match.

When the 22 FIFA executive committee members come to cast their votes next Thursday they should not underestimate that particular commodity.

Great sporting events are made great not by the architecture of the stadia or by the smooth running of the facilities, as important as they are.

Invariably they assume greatness by the deeds on show and by the atmosphere generated in the host country.

That was true of the Sydney Olympics which swept aside its problems once the event began to ride on the back of the most enthusiastic and passionate support the Games have ever witnessed.

Think of World Cups in the past.

We remember the showers of tickertape in Argentina in 1978. We remember the Mexican Wave in 1986, Nessun Dorma and the drama and emotion of 1990, the Champs Elysees celebrations of 1998, the most hospitable welcome of Japan and Korea in 2002.

We remember the people and no-one does footballing passion quite like the English.

True, it is not always based on logic. The expectation which engulfs the country every time England set off for a tournament abroad is unrealistic, but you cannot knock the enthusiasm.

The flags of St George, the hope which triumphs over reason, the way in which ordinary life is put on hold while an entire nation apparently lives its dreams through its football team.

Think back to what it was like in Euro 96 when, as the 'Three Lions' song told us: 'Football's Coming Home.'

If the the World Cup 2018 comes home for the first time in 52 years then it will be the biggest, most glamorous and passionate show to hit town.

But it is not a simple matter of football. It never is when billions of pounds are at stake and when FIFA's politics cranks into overdrive.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter might have stood shaking the hand of Prime Minister David Cameron on the steps of Downing Street.

He might have smiled and praised the England bid and enjoyed the company of bid ambassador David Beckham.

But when it comes to the vote on December 2 there remains substantial baggage for England to overcome.

There is the matter of the Sunday Times cash-for-votes investigation, which saw two current and four former FIFA executive committee members banned. None of which has anything to do with England's bid but, in the perverse world of politics, certain quarters might seek to punish English football for a professional investigative job by the English media.

There is the matter of Lord Triesman, who resigned from his position as chairman of the FA and England's 2018 bid after accusing Russia and Spain of plotting to bribe referees at last summer's tournament.

There is also the subject of legacy. FIFA and Blatter are big on legacy and spreading the football gospel. There is an attraction in taking the tournament to Russia which needs modern stadia and the impetus the World Cup would bring to so many of its impoverished regions. Russia have also never staged the tournament.

There is also the matter of the three votes apparently already promised by South America to the combined bid of Spain and Portugal.

It makes the 2018 bid, which also includes a combined bid from Holland and Belgium, too close to call. FIFA took a risk last summer in taking the tournament to South Africa with its endemic crime. It paid off. They have taken another gamble in 2014 in selecting Brazil.

It might just be that they are inclined to take the safe route of Europe this time and an English bid which ticks all the boxes and almost certainly guarantees the most profitable tournament of all time.

But with corruption investigations, resignations, television exposes and a high-profile row with the Russians it is far from certain.

If only it were a simple matter of football.