SOCCER icon David Beckham headed an all-star team yesterday as England kicked off a ?15million bid to host the World Cup in 2018.
The line-up at Wembley was a perfect blend of youth and experience ? packed with big game players.
Becks was up front with international team-mate Wayne Rooney, Gary Lineker and England?s 1966 World Cup-winning heroes Sir Geoff Hurst, Sir Bobby Charlton, Martin Peters and George Cohen.
Football Association chairman Lord Triesman and London Olympics supremo Lord Coe were there to drive the midfield. While tucking in behind in were Prime Minister Gordon Brown and FA President Prince William ? who could not attend because of RAF commitments but sent a video message.
They?ve already got the slogan: England United ? the World Invited.
England coach Fabio Capello was unavoidably absent at a christening abroad. But you could sense that what he had done for the England side in terms of discipline, humility and togetherness had rubbed off on the World Cup bidding team.
The tone of the sales pitch was humble and respectful.
Passion
Video clips of triumphal England World Cup moments were interspersed with footage of Beckham being red carded, Stuart Pearce?s penalty miss and Maradona waltzing past England defenders to score a wonder goal for Argentina.
Bid chief executive Andy Anson admitted England must not appear arrogant or complacent ? reasons blamed for the country?s failure to land the 2006 tournament.
The latest message was clear: We have the team, stadia, tradition, know-how and passion. But we are taking nothing for granted.
Becks, 34, who is fronting the official bid, said: ?To have the World Cup in your own country is the dream of any player. I know first hand the passion of our fans, and they would provide an incredible atmosphere at every game.?
The AC Milan midfielder and legend Lineker were cheered by schoolkids as they unfurled World Cup 2018 scarfs beneath a statue of 1966 England skipper Bobby Moore.
Wayne Rooney, who would be 32, added: ?It would unbelievable to play in the World Cup in England.? Spain, Russia, the US and Australia are among eight rivals for the event. England and ten other countries will also be considered to stage the 2022 World Cup.
Executives at football?s governing body FIFA will chose the hosts for both events in December next year.
Lord Triesman said the country would reap huge economic benefits. He said: ?A World Cup in England would be truly memorable ? not only for our nation but for every nation.?
The line-up at Wembley was a perfect blend of youth and experience ? packed with big game players.
Becks was up front with international team-mate Wayne Rooney, Gary Lineker and England?s 1966 World Cup-winning heroes Sir Geoff Hurst, Sir Bobby Charlton, Martin Peters and George Cohen.
Football Association chairman Lord Triesman and London Olympics supremo Lord Coe were there to drive the midfield. While tucking in behind in were Prime Minister Gordon Brown and FA President Prince William ? who could not attend because of RAF commitments but sent a video message.
They?ve already got the slogan: England United ? the World Invited.
England coach Fabio Capello was unavoidably absent at a christening abroad. But you could sense that what he had done for the England side in terms of discipline, humility and togetherness had rubbed off on the World Cup bidding team.
The tone of the sales pitch was humble and respectful.
Passion
Video clips of triumphal England World Cup moments were interspersed with footage of Beckham being red carded, Stuart Pearce?s penalty miss and Maradona waltzing past England defenders to score a wonder goal for Argentina.
Bid chief executive Andy Anson admitted England must not appear arrogant or complacent ? reasons blamed for the country?s failure to land the 2006 tournament.
The latest message was clear: We have the team, stadia, tradition, know-how and passion. But we are taking nothing for granted.
Becks, 34, who is fronting the official bid, said: ?To have the World Cup in your own country is the dream of any player. I know first hand the passion of our fans, and they would provide an incredible atmosphere at every game.?
The AC Milan midfielder and legend Lineker were cheered by schoolkids as they unfurled World Cup 2018 scarfs beneath a statue of 1966 England skipper Bobby Moore.
Wayne Rooney, who would be 32, added: ?It would unbelievable to play in the World Cup in England.? Spain, Russia, the US and Australia are among eight rivals for the event. England and ten other countries will also be considered to stage the 2022 World Cup.
Executives at football?s governing body FIFA will chose the hosts for both events in December next year.
Lord Triesman said the country would reap huge economic benefits. He said: ?A World Cup in England would be truly memorable ? not only for our nation but for every nation.?