Fifa set to rule on Cup rotation

Fifa is expected to throw open the bidding for the 2018 World Cup which would allow England to campaign to host the tournament.

A two-day meeting in Zurich is likely to confirm a change to Fifa's system of rotating the World Cup finals between the continents.

If ratified, South American countries could not bid for 2018 as Brazil looks set to host the 2014 tournament.

Fifa boss Sepp Blatter has warned England would face stiff competition.

Other challengers to host the 2018 tournament could include Russia, China, Australia and USA or Mexico, and possibly a Benelux joint bid from Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg.

Fifa is expected to announce the decision on Monday.

Blatter was concerned only one country - Brazil - bid for 2014 and said last week he favoured a change.

"My thoughts are that we shall open the market and make the World Cup available for everybody apart from the last confederation which has just organised it, which means South America cannot bid for 2018," he said.

The Fifa president should get his way. The majority of the 23 Fifa executive members who meet in Zurich are understood to be of the same opinion.

Once the decision is taken then the Football Association can formally launch a bid for 2018.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has already made clear he would like to see a bid take place and has appointed former sports minister Richard Caborn as his World Cup ambassador.

Source: BBC Sport