The Executive Committee had been due to vote on a proposal by FIFA President Sepp Blatter to run the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments simultaneously.

 

But opposition to the double tender surfaced at a meeting of the 24-man Executive Committee in Zurich today and a decision has been postponed until their next meeting in Tokyo in December.

 

Franz Beckenbauer, Germany's former captain and chief organiser of the 2006 World Cup, backed the decision.

 

Beckenbauer, now one of the most influential members of the Executive Committee, said: "I think it is a sensible decision and one which the FIFA president agreed with.

 

"Many of the associations had only heard about this idea to award both tournaments simultaneously through the media, so delaying the decision gives us all more time to discuss the proposal and hear people's thoughts on it."

 

It nevertheless means that England's detailed plans for their campaign for the 2018 World Cup remain in limbo.

 

It would be a blow to England's hopes if only the 2018 tournament went to a vote in 2011 because it would probably mean Australia, Mexico and United States, potentially major rivals, entering the race.

 

If there was a double tender for 2018 and 2022, it is expected that the non-European countries would decide to bid for the later tournament because it is expected that after South Africa have hosted the 2010 tournament and Brazil the 2014 event that the World Cup should be staged in Europe.

 

Another potential major bid for the World Cup is expected from China following the huge success of the Beijing Olympics earlier this year, although the China Football Association (CFA) said today they had still not officially decided whether to put forward a proposal or not.

 

CFA spokesman Dong Hua said: "We have no announcement to make about whether we will bid or not at present.

 

"Hosting the World Cup finals would be a very good thing for China.

 

"It's a long time aspiration of Chinese fans and the Chinese football community but it needs a lot of thought about all aspects before we make a decision."

 

A China bid is likely to have a good chance of succeeding given the desire of many in the international football community to tap the Chinese market, as well as the legacy from the Olympics and the 2007 women's World Cup.