A bid for England to host the World Cup in 2018 is now almost certain, after Fifa confirmed an end to their rotation system for host nations.
Under the rotation policy, the 2018 tournament would have had to be held in the CONCACAF federation - north and central America and the Caribbean.
England are now certain to bid again, with Russia, China and Australia also in the running. Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg are also preparing a joint bid.
England fans have already thrown their support to the bid - with 83.3 per cent of voters in a recent England MAD poll believing we should go for the competition.
"It is exactly what we were hoping for and we will now discuss a timetable for a potential bid," said Brian Barwick, the Football Association's chief executive.
"We have already received tremendous support from Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the Government, and we all recognise the importance of government support in any bidding process.
"We realise there will be strong competition involved in any bidding process, but we know that England has fantastic stadiums, a unique tradition and passion for the game and also a very strong infrastructure already in place.
"I have always said that when the World Cup is next played in Europe, there is a very strong argument for holding it in England. If we do bid, and England is awarded the 2018 World Cup, I'm sure it would be brilliant for English football and the whole country."
England are now certain to bid again, with Russia, China and Australia also in the running. Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg are also preparing a joint bid.
England fans have already thrown their support to the bid - with 83.3 per cent of voters in a recent England MAD poll believing we should go for the competition.
"It is exactly what we were hoping for and we will now discuss a timetable for a potential bid," said Brian Barwick, the Football Association's chief executive.
"We have already received tremendous support from Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the Government, and we all recognise the importance of government support in any bidding process.
"We realise there will be strong competition involved in any bidding process, but we know that England has fantastic stadiums, a unique tradition and passion for the game and also a very strong infrastructure already in place.
"I have always said that when the World Cup is next played in Europe, there is a very strong argument for holding it in England. If we do bid, and England is awarded the 2018 World Cup, I'm sure it would be brilliant for English football and the whole country."
