Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, today called upon Londoners to support the City in its campaign to become a major host venue for England’s 2018 World Cup bid. The Mayor was joined this afternoon by representatives of London’s football clubs and children from Tottenham Hotspur FC’s and Arsenal FC’s community projects, to officially launch the capital’s campaign. London has an unprecedented level of public interest in football with more professional football clubs, 13, than any other city in the world. At an amateur level hundred’s of thousands of players from every global community compete in hundreds of organised matches every weekend.

One Million Signatories Needed

London’s application will focus not only on its outstanding football facilities but on its global diversity, legacy and the fan experience it can deliver as one of the world’s leading cities in event hosting. London is calling upon its football community to help secure one million signatories as part of the campaign, anyone wishing to show their support can do so by logging on to www.England2018bid.com. Click on “Register Your Support” then choose London in the drop down menu for “Choose Your City”.

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London said: 'Come on Londoners – join me in supporting the bid to host one of the greatest sporting tournaments in the world. London is a football mad city, from the top-flight professional club and international matches attracting fans in their tens of thousands each week to the friendly kick about in local parks and open spaces like Hackney Marshes, Europe's largest expanse of playing fields

'We've a track record for hosting international sporting events on a regular basis and the many parks and green spaces would be perfect for watching World Cup matches, so register your support for our city's bid and be ready to welcome the world!'

London will face competition from cities, including Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Portsmouth, Newcastle/Gateshead and Nottingham - a total of 15 potential venues are vying for the 12 places available as part of the 2018 bid.

London United

London’s formal application to become a host city for the World Cup in 2018 will be delivered by ‘London United’, a group of leading executives from a number of major stakeholders within the capital. The group, which is chaired by Chelsea FC Communications and Public Affairs Director Simon Greenberg, met for the first time earlier this month to go through roles and responsibilities and understand the challenges of the process and respective timelines.

‘London United’ brings together a range of expertise from organisations such as the GLA Group, the London Boroughs, football clubs and private sector partners. Key individuals include co-founder of The Carphone Warehouse, David Ross. Formerly on the boards of Wembley Stadium and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, Ross has been nominated to the group by the London Mayor. The bid submission is being co-ordinated and driven by Events for London.

Chairman of London United, Simon Greenberg, Communications and Public Affairs Director of Chelsea Football Club, said: "We have been hugely encouraged by the speed with which all the major London stakeholders have come together so quickly, and with such enthusiasm, to prepare London's bid as an Applicant Host City in England 2018.

"The Mayor is fully behind it, evidenced by the appointment of David Ross as his representative. David has great experience in dealing with some of London's iconic sporting venues and major sporting events such as Wembley and the 2012 Olympics.

"London is committed to providing the most compelling, imaginative and technically superior application that will provide the ultimate experience for all members of the FIFA Football Family if we were to host the World Cup in 2018.

"We are extremely excited by our overall city hosting concept which was discussed at our first meeting. We are sure this gives us a unique platform that all football fans, Londoners and organisations can buy into and ensure all of London is engaged fully in a bid that underpins England 2018's message of England United, the World Invited. Please register your support."