As the 2018 Russia World Cup comes to an end today with the World Cup Final, Labour has called on the Government to support a UK bid to host the 2030 World Cup.

After the performance of Gareth Southgate’s England side “captivated millions of English football fans”, Tom Watson MP, Shadow Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Secretary has written a joint letter with Dr Rosena Allin-Khan MP, Shadow Minister for Sport, to Rt Hon Jeremy Wright QC MP, the newly appointed DCMS Secretary, urging the Government to “support any bid from the English FA and their counterparts in the other nations of the UK for the 2030 World Cup.”

It has been 52 years since the World Cup was last held in England and the 2030 tournament will mark the centenary of the World Cup tournament itself.

Full copy of the letter:

Dear Secretary of State (Jeremy Wright),

This summer we have witnessed one of the most exciting World Cup tournaments in recent years.

The performance of Gareth Southgate’s young England side has captivated millions of English football fans – uniting the country and creating pride in the national side that we have not seen for many years.

Whilst the England team were not able to progress to the final this time, they have done themselves proud. Their heroic performances through the tournament will have inspired the next generation of fans and players and they deserve every recognition.

We have seen the unique power to unite and encourage that major international sporting events and tournaments can have on the country. Like the London Olympics in 2012, hosting an international sporting event allows us to show the best of the British people, united in a common purpose.

That is why we are imploring you to support any bid from the English FA and their counterparts in the other nations of the UK for the 2030 World Cup. The 2030 tournament will mark the centenary of the World Cup tournament itself – what could be more fitting than for it to be held in the home of football?

It has been 52 years since the World Cup was last held in England. Whilst we were unsuccessful in our bid for the 2018 tournament, the prospect of a bid for 2030 has already received international encouragement.

The President of UEFA, Alexsander Ceferin has already stated that ‘British football deserves’ to hold a World Cup finals soon. He has also said that England “has fantastic infrastructure, experience and everything else…the English FA is doing well.” It is also encouraging that the new process for assessing World Cup bids is now much more transparent and objective than it has been for previous bids.

We urge you to lend you fullest support to any potential World Cup bid from our Football Associations.

It is time to capitalise on the renewed passion for the national team and finally bring football home.

Yours sincerely,

Tom Watson MP

Deputy Leader of the Labour Party

Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan

Shadow Minister for Sport

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