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British Prime Minister David Cameron has contacted Fifa president Sepp Blatter to apologise for the fact he will not be part of England 2018's presentation to a team of Fifa inspectors who arrive in the UK next week.

Cameron is on holiday with his family so Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt will instead represent the Government.

Cameron is thought to have repeated his personal commitment to the bid in a telephone conversation with Blatter over the weekend, and extended an invitation for the Fifa president to visit Downing Street at some point in the autumn. The Prime Minister has also recorded a personal video message for the inspection team.

In a statement, the England 2018/2022 bid said: “England 2018/22 is delighted to confirm that Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Jeremy Hunt will welcome the Fifa inspection team to England next week to assess the country’s 2018/22 bid for the Fifa World Cup.

"The Prime Minister David Cameron spoke to Fifa president Sepp Blatter to discuss the Government’s plans for the visit. During the conversation, the Prime Minister reiterated his personal and the coalition Government’s full support for England’s bid.

“He asked for his apologies to be passed on to the Fifa inspection team for his absence from the visit due to a long-standing family holiday and said he was looking forward to welcoming Blatter to Downing Street in the autumn.”