England "Strong Candidate" for 2018

FIFA president Sepp Blatter expects England to put forward a "strong" bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

The world governing body have confirmed the hosts for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will be decided at the same time - but have not put any block on countries bidding for both.

At one point it was felt FIFA would state only bids from European countries would be accepted for 2018 - which would have offered a big lift for England, who have already declared their intention to lodge an application.

However, FIFA had started to move away from that position and have now formally decided to accept bids from countries for two competitions at the same time.

It means potential hosts such as Australia and China could go for both.

Europe is still expected to land 2018, but the presence of countries outside UEFA in the bidding process could split a complicated voting structure and potentially squeeze England out.

"England is a strong candidate, because it is a strong country in football," said Blatter.

"They are strong. But there are other candidates that are strong as well; Spain is also strong - and if you look at all the candidates you see that the fight is open."

Apart from 1982 hosts Spain, Russia and a joint bid from Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg are also expected - with Australia, Qatar, China, Japan, Mexico, the United States and Canada also hinting at applications.

Football Association chairman Lord Triesman is in Tokyo to meet key FIFA figures, with the political work moving up a further notch next month when 2018 bid chief executive Andy Anson takes up his full-time post.

Bid registration forms will be issued by FIFA from next month, with the decisions on who hosts which tournaments to take place in December 2010.

Having not hosted a World Cup since 1966, England should be among the favourites.

But arguments between England's main powers have undermined the desire for a united front, while doubts have also been raised over the amount the Government are willing to contribute - given the level of funds that have been washing around in the sport thanks to massively increased TV deals.

Triesman said: "FIFA's announcement effectively sets the ball rolling on the whole process and so this marks the start of an intense but exciting period. We'll be officially registering our intent at the earliest opportunity in the new year.

"The bid strategy will continue to focus on a presentation that prepares England for a tournament in 2018 but the team will now study today's announcement to ensure complete understanding of the process required by FIFA and the wider option available.

"The announcement of a dual process doesn't affect our planning at all.

"Our mission is to ensure we have the support of everyone around the country so the world knows that England not only has the infrastructure to stage a tournament but also the enthusiasm to make it the best possible event in World Cup history."

Meanwhile, FIFA have confirmed a British Olympic football team can compete at the 2012 Games in London - without having any effect on the individual status of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

So far, the Celtic countries have refused to entertain the prospect of a united team - believing it would undermine the argument for each country having its own status in FIFA.

Organisers will hope FIFA's decision will trigger a rethink, although Scotland in particular are dubious about the wisdom of such a move on a longer-term basis.

FIFA now intend to speak with all four countries to get their thoughts on whether a British team should participate in 2012 - and if so, how it will be composed.

In a further clamp-down on movement of junior players, every transfer of a player under the age of 18 must now be submitted to a sub-committee of the players' status committee.

It remains to be seen what kind of stance the sub-committee takes on such matters. But it could be interesting - given the increasing number of players leaving their homelands, particularly in Africa - for overseas clubs.

I hope England host it, it would be nice to see the World Cup in England, I think we have the stadium, the facilities, for the World Cup. We will have to wait and see...

World Cup, head to England. Lol, i would love the WC to be in England

Lol, if only it was that easy. But i think it is Englands turn to host it again

Germany, Japan have all had it, now its England, hopefully, when will it be anounced?

I dont know, urmm, i'll look that up

Carrick dreams of England 2018

The Football Association have declared their intention to bid for the 2018 tournament.

Even though they will face stiff competition from Spain and Australia, plus a host of other hopefuls eager to stage the greatest show on earth, Soho Square officials are optimistic they will get the nod when FIFA make a final decision in December 2010.

As a lad of 15 when Euro 96 'came home', Carrick can vividly remember the joyous scenes accompanying that football carnival.

And having been at the last World Cup as part of Sven-Goran Eriksson's England squad, he feels the excitement would only be magnified should they get the okay for the biggest tournament of all.

"It would mean another generation falling in love with the game," he said.

"We know what happened at Euro 96. We didn't win it but the country went mad.

"To have that on our doorstep was pretty special. For the World Cup to be here it would be incredible.

"We don't need to do that much work in terms of stadiums and transport. I am sure it would be a huge success."

Carrick's more immediate aims are a little less lofty.

After clinching the Club World Cup in Yokohama on Sunday, Manchester United's players are now in the process of readjusting their body clocks in time to face Stoke at the Britannia Stadium on Boxing Day.

Carrick did not actually say the Old Trafford outfit face a tougher test in the Potteries than they got from LDU Quito on Monday. But in a way, he was just being kind.

The South Americans may be more cagey and more adept at breaking a game up, as they proved by offering little themselves despite having a man advantage once Nemanja Vidic had been sent off, but they are incapable of maintaining the kind of aerial bombardment Tony Pulis' side will subject United to.

"Stoke is a different situation," Carrick observed.

"Quito was a test but Stoke will be tough.

"They will make it a battle and try to ensure it is not easy for us. They will probably come at us a little bit more than Quito did.

"As always, we are going there to win but Stoke have a decent home record, so it will be hard, especially coming back off this."