<p><br /> Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has highlighted England's "passion" for football as he met the Fifa team inspecting the country's bid to host the 2018 World Cup.<br /> </p><p><br /> Welcoming the team to Downing Street Mr Clegg emphasised the coalition Government's commitment to the bid.<br /> </p><p><br /> Mr Clegg told the delegation: "I believe this is an exceptionally strong, unbeatable bid. We in this Government believe in it, we hope that you will believe in it."<br /> </p><p><br /> He said the coalition fully backed commitments to the bid made by the previous Labour government.<br /> </p><p><br /> He told the inspection team: "Our job during your visit is to show you that we already have the infrastructure and facilities to host a fantastic World Cup.<br /> </p><p><br /> "I'm an MP from a city, Sheffield, which is one of the many cities hoping to host some games during the World Cup and I know from that city that the excitement and the passion which is behind this bid really is very considerable."<br /> </p><p><br /> He said the competition would have the power to "inspire so many people" across England.<br /> </p><p><br /> "I think there really are very few nations that can claim the same passion that we have in England for the game of football," he said.<br /> </p><p><br /> Mr Clegg welcomed the international delegation to No 10 because Prime Minister David Cameron is on holiday.<br /> </p><p><br /> But Downing Street rejected suggestions that David Cameron should have broken off his family holiday to meet the Fifa team.<br /> </p><p><br /> "The nature of the visit is technical. The Prime Minister is fully behind the bid and will be involved as the bid progresses," Mr Cameron's official spokesman said.<br /> </p>
