World Cup Betting – England 2018 Bid in Tatters

England‘s bid to host the 2018 World Cup looks to be hanging by a thread today following a weekend of accusations and resignations at the FA. Lord Triesman, head of England‘s bid team and chairman of the FA, was forced to abdicate both posts after he allegedly accused both the Spanish and Russian football federations of conspiring to ‘bribe’ referees at this year’s World Cup in South Africa in return for votes in December when the venues for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments will be decided by FIFA. Both countries are in direct opposition to England in the race to win the 2018 World Cup and Spain has already reacted angrily to Lord Triesman‘s comments, calling them ‘ridiculous’. Gilberto Madail, head of the Portuguese FA who are bidding to co-host the World Cup with Spain, said, "This kind of story is indicative of the uneasiness of England. These stories are absurd and unfounded." Triesman may have complained of entrapment before falling on his sword but there was really no excuse for his ill-advised comments, particularly on the day David Beckham was delivering the English FA’s bid to FIFA in South Africa amid much fanfare. Geoff Thompson has been drafted in to pick up the pieces of England’s bid but many bookmakers are coming round to the thinking that irreparable damage has already been done and Thompson and his team have been pushed out to 7/4 with Paddy Power when they were as short as 10/11 in most places up to last week. Russia have tumbled from an initial 10/1 to a best 3/1 (Betfred), while Spain and Portugal‘s joint bid is 5/1 with the same firm. Australia (10/1 with William Hill) are next best.

Focusing on more immediate events and Germany have drifted out to a general 14/1 following the news that influential captain Michael Ballack will miss the World Cup in South Africa after sustaining ankle ligament damage in Chelsea’s FA Cup Final win over Portsmouth. The 33-year-old midfielder is in plaster following a challenge by Kevin Prince-Boateng and will be out of action for two months. Germany (10/11 to win Group D with extrabet) are possible second-round opponents for England should both qualify from the group stages. Spain remain general 4/1 favourites for the tournament, while Brazil are 5/1 next best in most places. England can still be backed at 13/2 with Victor Chandler and Bodog to go all the way.