FIFA's ruling Executive Committee confirmed at its meeting in Tokyo that that a simultaneous bidding process will be opened for both the 2018 and the 2022 World Cups, as first reported on insidethegames in May.

 

Interested countries will be able to submit applications for either the 2018 or the 2022 World Cups, or for both tournaments.

 

Bid registration forms will be sent to countries in January 2009 and the two hosts will be decided in December 2010.

 

England, who have not hosted the World Cup since 1966 when they won the tournament, are the early favourites to win the 2018 event, which is widely expected to be awarded to Europe after it is staged in South Africa in 2010 and Brazil in 2014.

 

Blatter said: "England is a strong candidate because it is a strong country in football.

 

"They are strong but there are other candidates that are strong as well, Spain is also strong and if you look at all the candidates you see that the fight is open."

 

Along with England, the only confirmed contenders to host the 2018 World Cup are Australia and a joint Belgium-Netherlands bid.

 

But now the timetable has been set, several other countries are expected to announce their candidatures, including Spain, Russia, Qatar, China, Mexico and the United States.

 

Lord Triesman, who will be leading England's bid, said: “FIFA’s announcement effectively sets the ball rolling on the whole process and so this marks the start of an intense but exciting period.

 

"We’ll be officially registering our intent at the earliest opportunity in the New Year.

 

"Our mission is to ensure we have the support of everyone around the country so the world knows that England not only has the infrastructure to stage a tournament but also the enthusiasm to make it the best possible event in World Cup history.

 

"We are determined that a World Cup in England will leave a lasting legacy for the development of world football.

 

“In the coming months our aim will be to mount a bid that ultimately exceeds FIFA’s criteria and explains the worldwide legacy which a World Cup in England will leave.

 

"Competition from other nations will be incredibly strong but we have to present a bid that surpasses any other and convinces the world of how football would benefit from the World Cup coming to England.

 

"We shall listen, watch and learn, both at home and abroad so that we can present a bid that delivers what is actually required rather than what we ‘think’ is required.

 

“We hope to be able to formally deliver our intention to bid to FIFA in the New Year but the task from today is to build on the work we’ve already done and continue putting together a project that involves and inspires the whole of the country.”

 

It is widely expected that if the event does return to Europe in 2018 for the first time since Germany hosted the 2006 tournament then Australia will be strong candidates for 2022.

 

Ben Buckley, the chief executive of the Football Federation of Australia (FFA), said: "This is a welcome decision from FIFA.

 

"Hosting the world's biggest sporting event in Australia would be a wonderful opportunity for Australia and for the Asian region.

 

"This is very exciting news also.

 

"All of us involved in the bid to bring the World Cup to Australia are encouraged by this decision.

 

"We look forward to the support of all Australians - whether at home or living overseas - as we count down to decision day which is now only two years away.

 

"Bidding for the World Cup, and winning it, is an investment which will pay dividends for the entire nation and generations to come."

 

The two World Cups are being awarded together so they will be easier to market.

 

Blatter described football's financial position as "comfortable" but said the current economic crises is bound to effect the game.

 

He said: "Everybody is concerned.

 

"It's like a tsunami, a tsunami has different waves and football will be touched by those waves.

 

"Clubs will be touched, then countries then continents so we have to have solidarity so we can help those who are most affected by this crises."