- (L-R) England 2018 Bid Ambassador David Beckham, Prince William and British Prime Minister David Cameron during a reception at the Steigenberger hotel a day before the FIFA 2018 and 2022 World Cup Bid Announcement on December 1, 2010. (Photo by Anthony Devlin - Pool/Getty Images)
December 02, 2010 (KATAKAMI / SKYSPORTS.COM) --- Prime Minister David Cameron admits it is 'desperately sad' that England missed out on the chance to host the 2018 World Cup.
Cameron
formed part of a strong bid team in Zurich this week and joined the likes of Prince William and David Beckham in pressing England's case.However, Fifa's executive committee plumped for Russia as first-time hosts of the tournament, with reports claiming England crashed out in the first round of voting.
The Prime Minister said he was 'bitterly disappointed' that England's bid had not won the vote, with Russia also beating the joint bids from Spain/Portugal and Holland/Belgium.
- Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov (R) shakes hands with Britain's Prince William after the official announcement that Russia will host the 2018 World Cup on December 2, 2010 at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich. (Photo by SEBASTIAN DERUNGS/AFP/Getty Images)
Inspirational
Speaking after Fifa president Sepp Blatter had announced the decision, Cameron also paid tribute to the bid team, including an "inspirational" Beckham and Prince William, who he said "worked incredibly hard and spoke brilliantly" on behalf of England.Cameron said England had the best technical bid and what he believed was the strongest commercial bid, but added: "It turns out that's not enough."
"It is desperately sad," said Cameron. "There hasn't been a World Cup
in England in my lifetime."I was hoping we could change that, but not this time." (*)
