Australia have confirmed their bid to host the World Cup will focus on the 2022 tournament, leaving the USA as the only non-European contender for 2018.

The decision by Football Federation Australia (FFA) comes after Fifa made clear they want a European host for 2018 - with the 2010 tournament kicking-off in South Africa on Friday and Brazil holding the 2014 finals.

"We have been in discussion with Fifa for months and it is that trusting relationship with the leadership of the governing body that has caused us to focus on 2022 and decide to leave the field for 2018 to European contenders," said FFA chairman Frank Lowy

England have long been considered a favourite to win the rights to host the 2018 tournament, although it remains unclear how the bid was affected by the scandal that erupted around a taped conversation of former bid leader Lord Triesman.

Triesman was forced to resign as chairman of the Football Association and of the bid after his comments that Spain, also bidding to host the tournament, were seeking to influence referees this summer in South Africa.

He insisted that he was merely repeating rumours rather than making allegations and a Fifa investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing, but the English bid was reminded of the need to conduct their canvassing for support in a sporting manner.

Russia and England are the two single-host candidates for 2018, with Spain and Portugal presenting a joint bid as well as Belgium and Holland.

The USA are in the running for both tournaments, though could yet turn their focus solely to 2022. Fifa will announce in December who will host both tournaments.