THE North-East’s passion for football holds the key to bringing the World Cup to the region in 2018, bid leaders said yesterday.

Sunderland FC chairman Niall Quinn and former Newcastle United striker Peter Beardsley were among the star names to welcome a Fifa delegation to the North-East yesterday morning, hoping to convince them the region is the perfect venue to host sport’s biggest prize.

While England and the North-East’s technical, commercial and legacy bid aspects were closely scrutinised, campaign chiefs hope the region’s love for the game will swing the vote.

Quinn said: “We have a very strong technical bid, but what we’ve really tried to show them is what this region has in terms of passion for football and what it would mean for the World Cup to come to the region for the first time since 1966.” He added: “I know the passion that exists here and that pride would increase a hundredfold if we got the World Cup.

“We’ve got to tick all the commercial boxes, but I hope on top of all that they’ll see the passion for the game.”

Beardsley said: “I was lucky enough to play in two World Cups and to have one in my home city would be fantastic.”

The Fifa delegation, led by Chilean Football Federation chief Harold Mayne-Nicholls, arrived at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light by helicopter and were shown round by Quinn, Sunderland City Council leader Paul Watson and former Olympian Steve Cram.

They took part in a penalty shoot-out on the pitch, laughing with Quinn as he lifted his spot-kick onto the roof of the net.

They later flew to Newcastle’s St James’ Park, where they were met by Beardsley, Newcastle United chief executive Derek Llambias and Newcastle City Council leader elect David Faulkner.

The delegation has also visited Downing Street, Wembley Stadium and Rockliffe Hall, near Darlington.

They flew to Manchester yesterday afternoon.

England is the favourite to host World Cup 2018, although Russia is seen as posing a strong challenge.

Fifa will announce its decision in December.