Rio and Fabio back Bid

Rio Ferdinand believes England would be the perfect choice to host the 2018 World Cup, despite Lord Triesman, Chairman of the 2018 World Cup Bid Board, resigning from his post last weekend.

England skipper Ferdinand, who is currently on a Three Lions training camp in Austria as Fabio Capello's men begin their preparations for this summer's tournament in South Africa, is adamant that England would prove excellent hosts if selected by FIFA's executive committee.

"We are all backing the bid," said the Manchester United centre-back. "I think this country has all the tools to hold a major tournament of that ilk.

"When the European Championships were last held here (in 1996), I was lucky enough to be able to train with the England team, and it was just a ridiculous atmosphere round the country.

"The whole nation got behind it, and people who aren't football fans loved it. I think we have the facilities to do it properly, and fingers crossed that we can get it."

England Manager Fabio Capello has also added his support, saying: "I think England is the perfect country to host the World Cup because the facilities, the stadia and the transport are really, really good."