LONDON - The Football Association have announced that England are to bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
A meeting of the FA board today decided to launch a bid after FIFA's decision on Monday to scrap rotation of the tournament.
FA chairman Geoff Thompson said: "I'm delighted to announce our intention to bid to host the World Cup in 2018.
"This follows FIFA's announcement on Monday that the previous rotation policy will be discontinued, and the positive comments made by FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
"The tremendous support from Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his government has also been a key consideration in today's decision.
"I'm delighted the FA board have been so positive in their support for a bid. It would be tremendous for English football and the whole country if we are successful."
FA chief executive Brian Barwick added: "This is a great moment for all of us who love the game in this country. The excitement and expectation from the public to a prospective bid has been incredible.
"It is very clear that the English football public want to see the World Cup back in this country."
The announcement comes as a surprise as only yesterday FA chiefs were being extremely cautious about doing anything more positive than commissioning a feasibility study.
Barwick did, however, admit England were in an excellent position to win a bid.
He added: "We believe we have a very strong case for making a successful bid and hosting a wonderful tournament. The work now begins to bring the World Cup back to England."
The FA have put out their blueprint for the bid identifying the key issues as:
• maximising support for England internationally;
• financing the bid and financial planning for the tournament;
• forming a bid team and who will lead it;
• identifying the stadiums and training facilities to be used;
• working with all stakeholders to ensure the infrastructure is in place to support the tournament - transport, hotels, communications etc.;
• plans for supporters - domestic and international;
• the tournament's legacy - for football and the whole country;
• ensuring the tournament is inclusive to everyone;
• making England the number one bid and to host the best World Cup ever.
The caution stemmed from memories of England's disastrous bid for the 2006 tournament that was won by Germany.
This time however the FA have been given confidence after encouragement by a number of senior footballing figures including FIFA president Sepp Blatter, UEFA president Michel Platini and Germany's FIFA executive committee member Franz Beckenbauer.
The organisation also believe they have a good commercial base to make a bid - earlier today they announced they were in their "strongest-ever financial position" after agreeing a range of deals with overseas broadcasters which will more than triple their income from international rights.
The new four-year deals for the overseas rights to FA Cup and England home games, which starts next year, are worth a total of £145million compared to £39million for the current four-year period.
On Monday, FIFA decided to abandon rotation of the World Cup between confederations and the only restrictions for 2018 tournament is that countries from Africa and South America will not be able to bid as their continents are hosting the finals in 2010 (South Africa) and 2014 (Brazil).
England are likely to face competition from Russia, China, Australia, Mexico, the USA and a possible joint bid from Holland and Belgium.
FIFA's 24-man executive committee will decide on the hosts in 2011 and bids will have to be officially submitted at least two years beforehand.
Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe said he was sure England could win the bid.
Sutcliffe said: "It's great news that the FA have confirmed they will bid for the World Cup in 2018.
"This is the biggest team sport event in the world so it's bound to be a tough contest but just like the Olympic bid for 2012, I'm sure we can win.
"England is the home of football, has the best stadiums and our people have a long-standing love affair with the game. I think an England 2018 would be the best World Cup ever staged."
