Geoff Thompson has been named the chairman of England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup finals following the resignation of Lord Triesman on Sunday.

Thompson, 64, is former chairman of the Football Association, spending nine year's at the FA as predecessor to Triesman, and is currently a vice-chairman of Fif

Triesman quit on Sunday following allegations in the Mail on Sunday newspaper, which repeated a conversation taped by a former aide in which he suggested Spain would try to bribe referees during this summer's World Cup finals.

England are believed to be frontunners to host the tournament, with Fifa said they want a European host.

That leaves Russia as well as joint bids from Spain and Portugal as well as Holland and Belgium as their main competition. Australia and the United States are also bidding, with Qatar, Japan and South Korea hoping to earn the rights to host the 2022 tournament.