Big guns shoot for World Cup glory

The three ambassadors are due to meet football's governing body at 10am in Zurich to give a final 30-minute presentation before FIFA decides at 3pm which of England, favourites Russia and the joint bids of Spain/Portugal and Holland/Belgium have won the right to host the sport's biggest event.

Their presence is thought to have turned the tables on Russia who were the victims of a diplomatic own goal yesterday when Prime Minister Vladimir Putin chose to stay at home instead of lobbying for votes.

FIFA's 22-man executive panel will vote, with a majority of 12 required to decide the host.

Should the England bid be successful it would cap a golden decade of sport for the country with the London Olympics in 2012 and two rugby World Cups.

The England 2018 team has already been told the bid stands to make the most money with Leeds and Sheffield – two of the 12 cities that may host matches – set to reap a significant economic and tourism boost.

The region could earn between 150m and 300m if Sheffield's Hillsborough and Leeds's Elland Road are among the stadia used in 2018.

Wayne Coyle, Sheffield's bid director, said: "Our estimates are that it would be worth between 160m and 300m.

"As well as the income it would generate, Sheffield would also have eight years as a World Cup host city, which has a lot of currency as well."

Martin Farrington, Leeds Council's active director of community development, said: "We offer not only the fantastic facilities in Leeds but also everything else that is available; the North Yorkshire Moors, the market towns of Yorkshire etc.

"It's a great part of our offer to say to fans that when you're not watching football in Leeds, there is so much more to see."