Raúl and Figo, to represent Spanish and Portuguese bid to host the 2018 World Cup

The Spanish footballer Raúl González (Real Madrid), and the Portuguese player, Luís Figo (Inter de Milan) have both accepted the challenge of representing the Joint Spanish and Portuguese candidature to host the 2018/2022 World Cup.

Representatives of the joint candidature are meeting today in Madrid where the headquarters for the candidature have been established.

Figo and Raúl have been chosen to lead the campaign which also includes other important figures from the world of sport, the arts and science.

Last February the Spanish and Portuguese Football Federations decided to send their proposals to host the 2018 World Cup which can also be extended to include the 2022 tournament. Their proposal will compete against another 10 proposals including the British bid launched yesterday by David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Gordon Brown.