Russia will host the 2018 world cup, having won the vote at the FIFA committee. Perhaps they were rightly unimpressed by the reek of privilege and hubris from the English representatives.
Obviously it is reasonable to be disappointed that these top class games will not be played in England, and it would have been a useful stimulus to the economy. It is also reasonable to question why the FA did not call on Gordon Brown to help with the lobbying, a more influential figure internationally than Bullingdon Dave.
However, I can’t help feeling this is a good thing. England, and particularly the England football team needs to get real about our diminished status and place in the world. One of the downsides of hosting the finals would be that automatic qualification for Engand, so there would be nothing to inhibit the media frenzy of over-hyped expectation, and that unappealing sense of entitlement that mars the English psyche.
Congratulations to Russia, and I am sure that they will host an extraordinary and thrilling set of finals.
