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David Beckham couldn’t hide his disappointment after it was announced England would not host the 2018 World Cup, instead the tournament will be heading to Russia.

Indeed, it was made even worse after it was confirmed England received just TWO votes in the first round of voting, which meant England’s bid came bottom of the four proposals.

Earlier, Beckham, joined by Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince William, made an impassioned plea for the World Cup to come back to these shores for the first time in 52 years, reminiscing about his memories of first attending games as a child.

Meanwhile Qatar will host the 2022 tournament.

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With the official decision over the destination of the 2018 World Cup being made in Zurich on Thursday, David Beckham has been joined by Prince William and Prime Minister David Cameron for last minute lobbying for England’s bid.

Much has been said over controversies surrounding the bid, with the BBC being heavily criticised for airing an episode of Panorama where the integrity of some of the voting members of FIFA was called in to question.

But the former England captain has said that will be of no concern to the votes being cast, and says he trusts FIFA will make the right decision and give the England bid the utmost respect when it comes to voting.

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– Capello to look for another English coach
– Heskey and Henry retire from international football
– Sir Alex expects Rooney to bounce back from South Africa woe

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David Beckham has insisted he has no intention of becoming England manager, nor does he see himself going in to coaching in the future. Beckham also blamed England’s poor World Cup showing on the players alone and not manager Fabio Capello, who is back in England today for the first time since going on holiday after their South Africa exit. England managed to move up a place in the FIFA world rankings however, with Italy’s group stage exit moving them below the Three Lions. Thierry Henry has officially joined New York Red Bulls after his release from Barcelona. The striker, who turns 33 next month, has signed a multi-year deal according his new club and will make his debut against old rivals Tottenham Hotspur next week in the Barclays New York Challenge. Manchester City have continued to splash the cash. Yesterday, they completed the signing of David Silva for 24m GBP, who completed a medical after celebrating Spain’s World Cup win.

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Howard Webb gives his reaction to the World Cup Final after he booked 13 players and sent off John Heitinga in a brutal encounter in Johannesburg. Harry Redknapp will be at Tottenham for the forseeable future after securing a new three-year deal at White Hart Lane, having guided them to the Champions League last season. Liverpool remain hopeful over Fernando Torres after he pulled up with another injury in the World Cup Final. Bolton are on the verge of signing Real Madrid left back Marcos Alonso, after they agreed a 2.2m GBP deal with the Spanish giants. Middlesbrough continue recruiting the SPL’s finest for their Championship assault this season. Gordon Strachan has snapped up Stephen McManus from Celtic for 1.5m GBP and is thought to have agreed a deal with Rangers for Kevin Thomson. And Pep Guardiola is staying on as Barcelona manager. He’ll sign a new deal today.

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Fernando Torres’ Liverpool future could be secured in bizarre fashion as the injury he picked up late in the World Cup Final could keep him out for two months. Meanwhile, it’s one in and out at Celtic, with Joe Ledley arriving on a free transfer from Cardiff City, whilst goalkeeper Artur Boruc is on the verge of leaving Parkhead to join Fiorentina. Sunderland manager Steve Bruce believes he’ll have to wait a few weeks longer to find out whether he’s managed to secure Sol Campbell for next season. The former Arsenal defender is weighing up options from other clubs, including Celtic. And in the Championship, Swansea City have failed in their bid to attract Hamilton manager Billy Reid to the Liberty Stadium.

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Spain have been crowned Champions of the World after securing a late win against 10-man Holland in Johannesburg. Andres Iniesta was the scorer, netting his second goal of the tournament after Jonny Heitinga was sent off for two bookable offences in extra-time. A tough, at times brutal encounter saw chances wasted by both sides, most notably Arjen Robben who couldn’t find a way past Iker Casillas in the Spanish goal despite being in the clear twice. Meanwhile we look at the Golden Boot and Golden Ball winners, as well as the Young Player of the Tournament.

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Four years of waiting are almost over as we wait to see which new name will win the World Cup for the first time. Around two billion people are expected to tune in Sunday night from all around the world as Spain and Holland do battle at Soccer City in Johannesburg. It’s the first time the Spanish have reached this stage, having never managed to get past the Quarter-Final stage, whilst this is Holland’s first final appearance since coming runners up in both the 1974 and 1978 tournaments. Will Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben manage to break down the Spanish defence? Or will Xavi, Iniesta, Villa and co confirm what we’ve all been thinking since their European Championships success and be crowned as the best side in the world?

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Who will join Holland in Sunday’s World Cup Final? That’s the question on every football fans’ lips going in to tonights much anticipated clash between Spain and Germany. The free flowing football of Vicente Del Bosque against Joachim Louw’s free scoring German side. It’s a repeat of the Euro 2008 final where Spain triumphed, but they are yet to beat Germany in a World Cup.

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It’s the first 2010 World Cup Semi-Final as Uruguay take on the Netherlands at the Cape Town Stadium. Luis Suarez is missing for South America’s sole survivor in the competition, after his controversial handball in Friday’s shoot-out win over Ghana. Meanwhile the Dutch are missing Nigel De Jong through suspension.

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