David Dein, president of England’s 2018 World Cup bid, remains confident that they will win the vote next week.
Dein, the former Arsenal vice-chairman, was brought in to head up England’s bid team in February.
England are reported to be trailing Russia and Spain/Portugal in the running to host the 2018 tournament, but Dein remains hopeful.
“Am I optimistic? I’m very realistic, because you’re in the hands of 22 individuals and one’s got to hope we’ve given them enough ammunition to vote for us,” he said.
“I can only go back to the Euro 2016 vote a few months ago between France and Turkey.
“There were 13 votes and the night before everybody thought France had 10 in the bag.
“When it came to the result they won 7-6. So you can never tell with football politics.
“Many of them probably have made their minds up in advance, but you never know.
“This has been a labour of love. I haven’t travelled around the world several times just to get air miles.
“We have our best team out there in Zurich to try and bring the World Cup to England.
“There will be intense lobbying in the hope that there may be the odd voter who has perhaps not made up his mind.
“We have got to work it right up to the end.”
Former England captain David Beckham is one of the leading figures drafted in to help bolster the bid, and Dein insists his presence is vital.
“He’s an iconic figure, he does a great job. He has matured. I think he has gone to another level,” he said.
“He has been fantastic, not just as an ambassador but as a human being. He is incredibly well liked.
“David, to his utmost credit, has been there for us. I have been with him and he is so painstaking.
“He takes his time talking to people, signing autographs, having photographs taken.”
