Saud Abdulaziz al-Mohannadi, the general secretary of the Qatar Football Association (QFA), said that they are awaiting for the official notification from FIFA about the bidding process.

 

The world governing body announced last week that they would award the 2018 and 2022 events at the same time to maximise marketing opportunities.

 

Al-Mohannadi said: "The decision is not up to the Qatar Football Association alone.

 

"We are currently waiting for the FIFA letter regarding the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and then we will take it from there up to the higher authorities.

 

“Once we have the final approval we will officially announce the bid for the World Cup.

 

"The interest is there from our side, but once you take the decision, then there are a lot of commitments and requirements to fulfill.

 

"That is why we are waiting on the FIFA letter, which should arrive in early January after the holiday season.”

 

As insidethegames reported exclusively seven months ago, Qatar had already registered an interest with FIFA.

 

Officials in Qatar are still angry over the way when they were treated when Doha bid to host the 2016 Olympics.

 

They were ranked joint third by the International Olympic Committee's Evaluation Commission alongside Chicago, the favourites to host the event, but were not short-listed because it was claimed that their proposed October dates were unsuitable.

 

But the oil-rich Persian state, which is only 4,416 square miles and has a population of just 1.5 million, is determined to host a major global event and is confident of landing the 2018 World Cup despite the tough opposition it will face.

 

Besides England and Australia, other candidates to host 2018 also include a joint bid from Holland and Belgium.

 

There is also expected to be a joint bid from Spain and Portugal and other contenders could include China, Japan, Mexico and the United States.

 

Al-Mohannadi said: “Of course it is going to be very tough, but we have a very good chance.

 

"We will work hard on the bid and prepare very well and then we will be well placed when the official bidding begins.

 

"Australia is a tough opponent, and England could be an early favourite.

 

"But we have to wait for the letter and then study our options.”

 

Financial backing for the tournament would be guaranteed by the Government and a state-of-the-art railway system is being planned in Doha to be ready in time for the tournament, but al-Mohannadi added that new stadiums would need to spring up to accommodate the influx of foreign fans.

 

He said: “We are not exactly ready, we need to build some new stadiums and expand some existing ones, but at the moment it is too early to go into the exact details.

 

"Once we officially announce the bid, maybe in January, a committee will be formed that will be responsible for making the official bid document.”

 

The QFA  have strong ties with FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who visited the country earlier this year, and is due to host the 2011 Asian Cup.

 

Al-Mohannadi said: “We have good relations with FIFA, but those alone will not help you to host the World Cup.

 

"You need to have a very good bid and to meet all the requirements to host the most prestigious football event in the world.”

 

FIFA are due to announce a decision in December 2010.