England big guns head for Zurich

Published Nov. 26, 2010 10:03 a.m. ET

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Sir Bobby Charlton, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Andy Cole and John Barnes have been named as part of the 30-strong delegation along with England manager Fabio Capello.

England chief executive Andy Anson said: "We have said throughout the process that this bid has the backing of the whole country and the nature of this line-up confirms that point.

"Next week is clearly critical because it is our last chance to convince the FIFA executive committee members who are voting that England should be their choice for 2018.

"We will be campaigning and working right up to the very last minute and the strength and support we have within this travelling party gives us the best possible chance to deliver our message, strongly and passionately for one final time."

England 2018 legacy ambassadors Kadra Ege, founder of Brent Ladies FC, and Eddie Afekafe, who works in the Manchester City 'Football in the Community' programme, will also be in Zurich to focus attention on England's international legacy plans.

Full England 2018 delegation: HRH Prince William of Wales, Rt Hon David Cameron (Prime Minister), David Beckham (vice-president, England 2018), Andy Anson (England 2018 chief executive), David Dein (international president, England 2018), Eddie Afekafe (ambassador, England 2018), Lord Coe (England 2018 board member), Roger Burden (acting FA chairman), Richard Scudamore (Premier League chief executive), Greg Clarke (Football League chairman), Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt (Secretary of State Culture, Media Sport & Olympics), Paul Elliott (England 2018 board member), Lord Mawhinney (England 2018 board member), Andy Cole (football ambassador), Rt Hon Hugh Robertson (Minister for Sport), Sir Bobby Charlton (football ambassador), Fabio Capello (England manager), John Barnes (football ambassador), Alan Shearer (football ambassador), Gary Lineker (football ambassador), Kadra Ege (legacy ambassador), Boris Johnson (Mayor of London).