Spain-Portugal ‘ready for World Cup now’

Spain-Portugal, one of the favourites to host the 2018 World Cup, said Thursday it was ready to host the event now as it made its final pitch for the event hours before FIFA chooses the host nation.

“We could organise a World Cup next month if necessary,” Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero in a display of government support along with his Portuguese counterpart Jose Socrates.

Shortly before FIFA’s executive committee votes, the Iberian bid soberly highlighted its experience as a top tourist destination and a host of major world sports events in recent years.

Barcelona staged the Olympic Games in 1992, Portugal hosted Euro 2004 while Spain was the World Cup venue in 1982.

“Professionalism, competence and security are three key words,” said Socrates.

“This is a bid that will shine out, that goes above and beyond our two countries.”

With a brace of Spanish and Portuguese footballing stars, including Spain captain and Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, Fernando Hierro, Portugal’s Luis Figo and Eusebio, in Zurich, Iberian officials also played up a passion for the game and top trophies.

“We wanted to focus on the use of already existing stadia that are being used by top level clubs in competition,” added Miguel Angel Lopez, managing director of the Spain-Portugal bid.

Gilberto Madail, the Portuguese deputy bid chief said: “We are convinced we can organise the best World Cup ever because we have the knowhow.”

The formal presentation ended with a impassioned but lengthy plea by Angel Maria Villar Llona, the Spanish member of FIFA’s executive committee, who insisted that the bidding process was clean.

The other candidates competing to host the 2018 World Cup — England, Russia, and Netherlands/Belgium — made their final formal presentations before FIFA’s grandees vote behind closed doors at 2:00pm local time (1300 GMT) in Zurich.