The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Luanda

The England 2018 World Cup bid team arrived in Angola on Wednesday to attempt to win over African members of FIFA's executive committee.

England 2018 chief executive Andy Anson and bid vice-president John Barnes, the former Liverpool and England striker, will be holding one-on-one meetings with the continent's top footballing brass who are in Luanda for Friday's Confederation of African Football (CAF) Congress.

Anson told AFP that after some upheaval in the England 2018 team last year which culminated in Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards resigning from the board, the bid was firmly back on course.

"We had a few internal wrangles in the autumn but now the team is more settled and pulling in the right direction."

Explaining his presence in Angola the former Manchester United commercial director said: "We are here for the CAF Congress and will start meeting FIFA executive members later today at our hotel.

"It's a good opportunity to meet them all in one place. We will be trying to get feedback from them about our bid."

England are regarded as one of the favourites to host the 2018 footballing showpiece but are up against strong rivals in the shape of joint bids from Spain and Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands and Russia.

Australia, Indonesia and Japan have also put their hats into the ring but FIFA president Sepp Blatter has intimated that it may be the turn of a European country to host the 2018 World Cup after Brazil in 2014 and South Africa this year.

Anson, speaking at a Luanda orphanage where Barnes held a football session as part of an ongoing English FA development programme, believes England has a "fantastic" bid, but he was careful not to sound over-optimistic.

"This is the most competitive World Cup race ever, there are nine 'horses' running down the final straight. But we believe England has a fantastic bid with sustainable long term projects across the world.