The Midlands city is one of 15 cities and towns across England who have put themselves forward as potential hosts if England are awarded the tournament.

 

Birmingham is currently investigating the possibility of building a new stadium that Birmingham City, promoted back to the Premiership this season, would make their home.

 

Taylor, who used to manage Aston Villa and still lives in the city, said: “I think it’s important that England stages a World Cup in the future and that it comes to Birmingham.

 

Villa Park staged matches during the 1966, the last time England hosted the tournament, and also when the country staged Euro96.

 

Taylor said: "It’s the second city and in a great location for fans to reach so you would imagine it would play a huge part.

 

“If a new stadium was to be built, Birmingham would be the obvious choice but Villa Park would be a perfect venue because it’s got an atmosphere that some newer ground struggle to match.

 

“I’ve always said that instead of rebuilding Wembley, the FA ought to have built a national stadium in Birmingham.

 

“Wembley is fantastic but it’s in an awful place for fans to reach.”

 

England are one of 11 candidates for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup.

 

The others are Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Russia and United States plus joint bids from Spain and Portugal and Netherlands and Belgium.

 

Qatar and South Korea are bidding for just the 2022 World Cup.

 

World governing body FIFA are due to make an announcement about both tournaments at a meeting in December 2010.