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Hurst: '2018 can be bigger than 1966'

Source ITN

Updated on 01 November 2007

Sir Geoff Hurst believes if England are successful in their bid to stage the 2018 World Cup finals, the tournament would be "100 times bigger" than 1966.

The man who scored the hat-trick which saw the late Bobby Moore pick up the Jules Rimet trophy at Wembley Stadium 41 years ago thinks that it would unite the country behind the national team.

The Football Association has confirmed that it will be bidding to bring the World Cup home after Fifa scrapped its rotation policy.

Belgium and Holland are expected to make a joint bid while Australia, China, Russia, Mexico and the US are also expected to be in the running.

And World Cup winner Hurst said: "It was a huge event for England when we hosted the World Cup in 1966 but getting the tournament in 2018 would be 100 times bigger. You only have to look at the level of coverage football gets now in this country and the fervour surrounding the game.

"The sport is now 100 times bigger and is covered in 100 times greater depth. More reporters cover an England qualifier these days than went to the 1966 World Cup final."

He added: "Without doubt it would be great for the country and the game to have the 2018 World Cup and I think everything is in place to succeed with this bid."

Following their difficulties under Steve McClaren, Hurst also believes it could be just what the national team needs to get the public back on side.

He said: "I think a successful World Cup bid would get far more people behind England again.

"With no qualifiers needed, the conflict of interest with clubs would be reduced straight away and it may change the attitudes of some players."

FA chief executive Brian Barwick, meanwhile, has ruled out England's bid involving any of the other home nations.

Barwick, who also played down England's position as bookies' favourites, said: "We know other countries want to host the World Cup in 2018 and it is not a given but we will give it our best shot.

"There are a lot of things to work through ahead of us and we have to have the leadership of this campaign absolutely spot on. We know that will tax us in the next few months.

"There are lots of good messages about English football across the world - both from on the pitch and away from the pitch with coaching, refereeing and business education programmes.

"We think we should seize the moment. We have Government support, Sepp Blatter is very positive about English football, and on Tuesday Franz Beckenbauer said he thought 2018 should be in this country.

"But there is no complacency whatsoever and no arrogance."

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

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