Sunderland Help Fly the Flag for England’s World Cup Bid
The England 2018 World Cup Bid ‘Fly the Flag’ Tour has now kicked off, as a giant flag embarks on a tour of candidate host cities over the coming weeks.
The ‘England United, the World Invited’, flag was launched at Wembley Stadium during England’s recent international friendly match with Egypt and will now visit the stadiums and cities that make up England’s World Cup Bid.
Sunderland fans will see the flag grace the centre circle at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, as the Black Cats take on Manchester City and fans of both teams will be encouraged to show their support for England’s 2018 bid by demonstrating just how much hosting World Cup football would mean to them.
England 2018 Chief Executive Andy Anson said: “The England 2018 ‘Fly the Flag’ Tour is a great way for the candidate host cities to showcase their role in England’s Bid and to engage with fans across the country. The fans are integral to our bid and their support is vital to demonstrate the passion that we have for football in this country.”
Sunderland’s Trinidad and Tobago international Kenwyne Jones is an official ambassador for England’s bid and is throwing his full support behind the campaign: “I’m doing everything I can to help England in their bid to host the 2018 World Cup. I know first-hand how passionate English fans are and just how much football means to people in this country. I know it would be a fantastic venue for the FIFA World Cup™ and events like the ‘Fly the Flag’ Tour are a great way to get everyone involved and showing their support.”
Fans from across the globe have joined some of the biggest names in English sport and entertainment in backing England 2018, including: Rio Ferdinand, David Beckham, Germany captain Michael Ballack, Ghana midfielder Michael Essien, World Cup winner Ossie Ardiles, Formula One champs Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, Chicago Bulls captain Luol Deng, England’s Ashes winners, Hollywood star and comedian Eddie Izzard, funnyman Peter Kaye, comedian James Corden and legendary musicians Noel Gallagher and Sting.
Supporters can Back the Bid by texting ‘ENGLAND’ to 62018, logging onto the official website www.england2018bid.com, joining the official Facebook site www.facebook.com/england2018 or by following the bid on Twitter www.twitter.com/england2018bid.