England have pulled out of the race to host the 2022 World Cup, as part of a deal agreed with the United States which has seen them back out of the running for the 2018 tournament.

The move guarantees the 2018 finals will be held in Europe, with all four remaining contenders now coming from Europe: England, Russia, Spain/Portugal and Holland/Belgium.

Fifa had already said they favoured a European host, with the withdrawal of the United States really nothing more than a formality.

The 2022 tournament will now be contested between the United States, Australia, Japan, South Korea and Qatar.

"For some time we have been in conversations with Fifa and Uefa about the possibility of focusing only on the 2022 bidding process, an option we have made reference to many times," said Sunil Gulati, chairman of the Unted States' bid.

"We are confident this is in the best interests of the USA bid. We wanted to make the announcement now - still 48 days before the final decision - in order to make our intentions clear during the last part of our campaign."

The organisers of England's 2018 bid welcomed the decision, and confirmed they did not wish to be considered for the 2022 tournament as a result.

"England 2018 is delighted it is now clear the World Cup will be coming to Europe in 2018 following the withdrawal of the United States bid," read a statement.

"England 2018/22 confirmed to Fifa that it was withdrawing its candidature from the World Cup 2022 and will now focus on its bid to host the tournament in 2018.

"This followed consultation with [the] Uefa president Michel Platini on the most appropriate moment to withdraw."