England bid tops profit report

England's bid has been ranked as "the most profitable" of all of those vying for the 2018 World Cup, according to FIFA consultants McKinsey.

England's bid scored 100% across the board in five revenue areas: ticketing, TV and media rights, sponsorship, hospitality and merchandise/licensing - better than any of their 2018 rivals, Russia, Spain/Portugal and Belgium/Holland.

The report by management consultants McKinsey has been sent to all the 22-man FIFA executive committee who will vote on the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosts on Thursday.

England's standing will come as a big boost to the bid after BBC Panorama last night accused three FIFA members of corruption and another of ticket touting.

The McKinsey report, titled FIFA's World Cup Host Candidate Assessment, gave an overall rating to England of 100%, Spain 91%, Holland/Belgium 87% and Russia 86%.

Among the 2022 bidders, USA was 100% overall, Japan 73%, South Korea 71%, Qatar 70% and Australia 68%.

All four European bidders scored 100% for TV and media rights, but England really outscored Russia when it came to hospitality - Russia was only rated at 56%.

England was also rated as the highest, jointly with Spain/Portugal, by FIFA's technical evaluation of the bids.

England 2018 chief executive Andy Anson told a news conference: "FIFA gave us a very strong evaluation and have just published an economic study which puts England way ahead of its competitors.

"If you combine the two, we clearly have the strongest bid. It's the perfect foundation."