WATCH IT LIVE: World Cup 2018 decision
FIFA announce who will be the host nation for the 2018 World Cup this afternoon in Zurich. Watch the announcement live on our website.
England will find out this afternoon if its football World Cup 2018 bid has been successful.
The candidates from all the nations gave their final presentations this morning. Belgium and the Netherlands, followed by Spain and Portugal, England, and finally Russia at 12 noon. Prince William, David Cameron and David Beckham made the final England presentation to the Fifa delegates. The running order was previously determined by the drawing of lots.
With the presentations over, it now remains for the Fifa Executive Committee to consider their verdicts and give their votes. They will also be voting for who has won the 2022 World Cup. Click on the video above to watch a live stream of the announcement from Fifa.
England’s World Cup 2018 fate will be known at around 3pm this afternoon.
The decision will be made by twenty-two Fifa members who will vote in secret.
England’s bid was the narrow favourite to win after last minute lobbying by David Beckham, David Cameron and Prince William in Zurich.
We can deliver extraordinary public occasions and celebrations. Prince William
It nudged ahead of Russia, Spain/Portugal and Belgium/Netherlands.
Final push for votes
Prince William promised an extraordinary World Cup in 2018 as he joined the final presentation of England’s bid.
And he slipped in a joke about his wedding next year as he told executives from football’s world governing body Fifa why they should choose the English bid: “I know that we can deliver extraordinary public occasions and celebrations.
“I certainly hope so as I’m planning quite a big one myself next year.”
A Clarence House spokesman said: “The prince believes it’s too close to call and will be a nail-biting finish.
“They felt that they did their best with the presentation.”
Prime Minister David Cameron followed on from Prince William with a promise England would lay on “the most spectacular World Cup in history”.
He said fans from all over the world would feel at home in England’s diverse cities.
David Beckham told delegates he owed everything he had in life to football.
The former England captain said:”The Fifa World Cup can achieve so much for so many people bringing benefits that will be felt over generations. Your vote can make this happen.”
Turbulent campaign
England’s 2018 World Cup bid has not been without its troubles.
There were originally 24 votes, but two Fifa members – Reynald Temarii of Tahiti and Amos Adamu of Nigeria – were suspended following an investigation into reports that they offered to sell their votes to undercover reporters from the Sunday Times newspaper.
Earlier this week a Panorama documentary claimed three Fifa members had taken bribes in the 1990s.
We’re very confident, without being arrogant. Alan Shearer
And last night five people were arrested and 14 were left needing hospital treatment when hundreds of Birmingham City fans invaded the pitch and clashed with riot police.
It followed their team’s 2-1 Cup victory over local rivals Aston Villa.
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish said he did not think the violence reduced England’s chances of winning today’s World Cup vote.
The World Cup rumour mill is running wild writes Channel 4 News Chief Correspondent Alex Thomson.
Never in the field of sporting conflict, have so many been gathered, in such snow, at such expense, to say so much about so little.
It would have taken the wind from Churchill's sails.
All around the vast Zurich auditorium groups of global journos are avidly discussing the signals, hints, rumours and allegations.
Read more: England's World Cup bid: rumours, hints and allegations
Final hours “crucial”
Some of the biggest names in English football are in Zurich to back England’s World Cup 2018 bid.
John Barnes, Alan Shearer and Sir Bobby Charlton are among the high-profile supporters.
Ex-Liverpool and England star Barnes said the final few hours before the vote could be crucial.
“Surprisingly they’re very important. You’d have thought after all this long process that has been going on for a while, that minds would have been made up and it’s all done and dusted – but it’s not.”
Former England captain Alan Shearer said they were “very confident, without being arrogant”.
He added: “I was fortunate enough to play in Euro 96 and it was a great occasion for the players, a great occasion for the fans and, of course, we know things have moved on tremendously since then.
“In eight years’ time, if we’re lucky enough to have it, I can imagine what the atmosphere will be like and the feelgood factor.”