FIFA reveal England were strong contenders despite failed World Cup bid

A FIFA official has revealed that despite England's failed bid to host the World Cup in 2018, the nation had been by far the 'strongest contender'.

FIFA official Harold Mayne-Nicholls questioned how could England have only got two votes, adding that it was a 'big surprise'.

Mayne-Nicholls, a former Chilean football federation president, was chairman of a FIFA group tasked with assessing the strength and feasibility of the various bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Having visited all 11 countries bidding, Mayne-Nicholls concluded that England had the 'best infrastructure and public involvement', crucial facets of any successful bid. The bid, however, received just two votes from a possible 22 with Russia winning the right to host the 2018 tournament, while Qatar secured the 2022 Cup.

Mayne-Nicholls said that England 'were on the top', adding that they had the 'best concept', and the people were 'very much involved'.