[1] To host a FIFA World Cup opening match, semi-final or final, a stadium must be able to hold 60,000 people.
[2] Old Trafford in Manchester held 61,000 in 2000, but had plans to expand to 68,400 by the time of the tournament, while the 1997-built Stadium of Light in Sunderland would also grow, from 42,000 at initial construction to 63,000 by 2006.
a: Stadium used in 1966 FIFA World Cup b: Stadium used in UEFA Euro '96 In 1993, the chairman of the Football Association (the FA), Bert Millichip and his German counterpart agreed that the FA would back Germany's bid for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and that Germany would support England's Euro 96 bid.
As a result, England put its support behind Sepp Blatter in 1998, rather than rival Johansson, for the FIFA presidency.
Five companies were names as sponsors of the bid: British Airways, Littlewoods, Marks & Spencer, Nationwide Building Society and Umbro.
Later that year, Blatter reaffirmed his support for South Africa, despite a visit from British prime minister Tony Blair.
In April 1999, Bobby Charlton announced that as part of the bid, a dozen children from each of the 203 FIFA-affiliated nations would be guests of the FA during the tournament.
[8] Tony Banks, the Minister for Sport, said he believed that the bid would receive "irreparable damage" if United did not partake in the maiden FIFA Club World Championship.
[13] These concerns intensified during Euro 2000, as there were hooligan riots caused by England fans and UEFA's stance against the English bid hardened as a result.