- MADRID: A FIFA delegation began its trip to asses Spain and Portugal's joint bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup on Monday, saying the countries got off to a good start by presenting all the required documents on time.
FIFA delegation leader Harold Mayne-Nicholls said the body's seventh and final inspection tour in Europe would last four days and take in both countries, with only the United States and Qatar still to be visited.
Spain's Interior Ministry said in a statement Monday that it was due to present FIFA's evaluation committee with the security plans for the joint candidature.
Miguel Angel Lopez, the bid's CEO, said Madrid and Barcelona would be visited in Spain and Porto and Lisbon in Portugal. He said the joint bid was strong because it included seven elite category stadiums.

