England's presentation in the Swiss city of Zurich was led by one of its footballing heroes, Sir Bobby Charlton.

He talked of the passion for the game in England and its deep roots in a multi-ethnic Britain, while the government's World Cup envoy, Tony Banks, referred to new measures to stamp out football hooliganism.

With voting due on Thursday, this marks the final stage of the gruelling bid process for South Africa, Germany, England and Morocco.

"Your vote means much more to me than any of my past achievements.

"We believe England offers you something unique, something special, something different.

"I've been part of English football for more than 50 years and I can tell you that we have never been better placed to give you, Fifa, a World Cup that will be a true attraction and that will be safe for everyone," he said.

Favourites

South Africa remain hot favourites to win the right to stage the tournament after the fifth nation, Brazil, pulled out earlier this week, pledging their vote - along with that of the other South American countries - to them.

Alluding to the crime problems in South Africa, Beckenbauer produced a model of a hotel to show Sepp Blatter and told him: "You'll be secure there."

And just as South Africa have played heavily on their rebirth as a nation, so Beckenbauer used the the fact that Germany is now a united country.

"You may think that we have already hosted one [1974] but then we were divided - between East and West Germany - now we are united," he said.

Morocco are the rank outsiders, but they feel they have as much right as South Africa to host their continent's first World Cup.

"Morocco claims the right for it - and through it for Africa - to hold the finals of this major event," said sports minister Ahmed Moussaoui.

The Moroccan delegation also highlighted the country's low crime-rate and its proximity to Europe.

Bid leader Driss Benhima finished by emphasising that it is Africa's turn. "Europe has made a very great mistake. They should not have presented any bids," he said.

"It would have been better not only for the world of football, but also for European football.

"I really think that Africa will have a World Cup in 2006. It will be Morocco or it will be South Africa. In both cases we shall be very happy on behalf of our continent," he concluded.