Brian Barwick visits Wembley - Video
FA Chief Executive Brian Barwick speaks to TheFA.com during his first visit to the new Wembley Stadium 		    
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The FA's Chief Executive expects the new stadium, with an unrivalled atmosphere, will compare with the best in the world and is delighted to see the famous site coming together in its new form with its iconic arch.

"Wembley is engrained as a sporting icon and when all the arguments and deliberations were taking place about where to put a national stadium, Wembley was always in the back of people's minds as the special home for special events - 1966 happened right here," he said.

"The stadium's fantastic and the arch is very special. What could ever replace the Twin Towers? Well the arch has. The Twin Towers were iconic and part of the old Wembley; the arch is undoubtedly going to be part of the new Wembley.

"I've flown over the new stadium a fair bit, and when you look out of the airplane the arch actually stands out. Going past it on a train, the arch really jumps out at you, and when you're below it you realise just how big it is.

"It's a very special, iconic part of this stadium and it will obviously be part of what people remember about this stadium."

The stadium is due to be opened in time for the 2006 FA Cup Final, and Barwick cannot wait.

"I can imagine a Cup Final here with two sets of committed supporters, or a big, big England game. They're going to be special occasions.

"Coming to the stadium itself when it's open, gleaming and looking fantastic is going to be a special occasion, and on top of that they're going to see great sporting events.

"It's very exciting. This has come alive for me today. I'm no builder, no structural engineer, but you get a sense of things moving in the right direction."