As our World Cup bid heads into stoppage time, Mayor Boris Johnson explains why England could win on penalties - for once!

It's stoppage time. And we're still one nil down. But around me in the deep snow of Zurich are men who've turned around tougher situations than this - Andy Cole, Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker and Fabio Capello, not to mention David Beckham, the Prime Minister and Prince William.

I've been watching them in awe, working the rooms, gently nudging, dropping hints about what a World Cup could be in England, and testifying to the passion and heritage which would underlie that. So we dare to hope.

Here too is my good friend, legendary athlete and Olympic supremo, Seb Coe. I ran along the shores of Lake Zurich with him this morning (yes, further and faster than I'd usually manage) and he told me again about Singapore when - against expectations - London got the 2012 Games.

Votes had been promised beforehand, assumptions made, conclusions anticipated. But Seb swears that the presentations swung it. Which is why our top team, who pitched to FIFA just now are so crucial. I found it faultless and the FIFA President Sepp Blatter thanked us for an "excellent and remarkable presentation".

Whatever happens - the 2018 bid team have done us all proud.

A World Cup for England would be a World Cup for the world. Cross your fingers that the great leaders of the beautiful global game see that potential too.

Now it's your turn to support the bid

Come along to the official bid announcement event at
The Scoop next to City Hall. The event starts at 14:30. Be there to roar us home!?