Italia 90 chief backs England 2018 World Cup bid

The man who was in charge of organising the 1990 World Cup has given his backing to England's bid to host the 2018 tournament.

Luca Montezemolo told the BBC: "England has all the ingredients to organise a successful World Cup."

Mr Montezemolo, now president of Ferrari, said England had a "huge tradition" in football.

England is one of several nations who are bidding to host the 2018 World Cup tournament.

The others are Russia, the US, Australia, and joint bids from Spain and Portugal, and Holland and Belgium.

Mr Montezemolo, who is one of the most famous men in Italy, managed the committee which planned and put on Italia '90.

"England has a huge tradition in soccer. They have good stadiums, good teams. They have one of the best national teams with a very good national trainer," he said, referring to his countryman Fabio Capello.

When asked if England should host the World Cup, he replied emphatically, "Yes. Yes."

And he advised any hosting nation to pay the utmost detail to its preparation.

"[Have] clear goals, establish the best team of people and have the best national companies to work with and have as partners in the organisation. Telecommunications companies, logistic companies, television companies."

It is very important to use "all the best elements of the country", he added.

The winning bids for 2018 and 2022 will be revealed on 2 December.