Bid chiefs coy over Twickenham as World Cup venue

England’s football World Cup bid team have refused to rule out reports that Twickenham – the home of English rugby union – could be used as a host venue if they win the right to stage the 2018 tournament.

Twickenham has been talked of as one of the grounds that might be used if the English bid is successful because of its’ 82,000 capacity and London location.

But the RFU and local residents have yet to be approached about the possibility of putting Twickenham – which has never staged a major football game – on the list of potential grounds.

English bid chief executive Andy Anson knows South Africa have until March next year to decide their venues and a bid spokesman said; “The process to identify host cities and stadia has only just begun and no decisions on venues are required until much later in the process

“We will obviously be considering all the options available to us so we can present the best possible scenario to FIFA at the appropriate time.”

England are one of the early front-runners to host the event but Spain and Portugal are putting together a combined bid, while Australia are also among the favourites in an 11-strong field.