2018 Host To Be Named In December 2010

England will discover if its bid to host the 2018 World Cup has been successful in December 2010, world football governing body FIFA has confirmed.

England and a joint bid by Belgium and the Netherlands are the candidates who have thus far confirmed their intention to bid for the hosting rights for the tournament and they are likely to be joined by the likes of Spain, Russia, Australia and the US.

‘We will start the 2018 bidding process early next year. We expect to make a decision by December 2010.’ said Jerome Valcke, secretary general of FIFA.

Valcke added that FIFA was contemplating announcing the hosts for both 2018 and 2022 together to allow sufficient time for preparation.

‘We feel seven years is the minimum time you need for a country to build all the infrastructure they need to host a World Cup,’ he said.

Brazil was chosen to host the 2014 World Cup in October 2007, but South Africa was awarded the 2010 tournament in May 2004, allowing just over six years to prepare.

The country is building six new stadiums and renovating four, rebuilding airports and investing massively in upgrading its road and rail networks. Many of the projects are on tight deadlines.

‘It is quite evident that six years is a bare minimum to organise a World Cup. There is not much flexibility and time is fundamental,’ Valcke said.

‘In South Africa certain elements will only be ready one month before the start of competition which doesn’t leave much time if there’s a problem.’