David Downs, the executive director of the US bid, admitted that the country faces an uphill battle to win the right to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.

 

He said: "I think the single biggest disadvantage that we have is that we have some formidable competitors.

"There's no doubt in my mind that we can stage an utterly fantastic World Cup.

 

"We meet all the bottom-line criteria for sure and on top of that we present some very unique facets as well that can put our bid over the top, but any time you're dealing with a political situation that's a vote of an [FIFA} Executive Committee and there are other countries involved that may not be equally competent but are competent enough to stage a World Cup, you have some odds against you."

 

The US is one of 11 bidders, which include England, who are the favourites to win the right to host the 2018 World Cup.

 

But for the first time FIFA are to award two events together, choosing the 2022 World Cup host at the same time as 2018 to maximise the marketing opportunities.

Downs said: "We know we can do it, but our challenge is to show FIFA that we would be one of the two best bids for those two World Cups."

 

Downs is a former television executive who was involved in ABC's coverage of the 1994 World Cup, the last time the US staged the tournament.

 

He said: "I have gotten to know, over my network television career, almost all the key players, both in US Soccer and in FIFA.

 

"The United States combined television bid for the 2010 and 2014 World Cup was $425 million (£295.5 million), which is a record for one country."

 

The other bidders to stage the tournaments are Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Qatar, Mexico, South Korea, Russia plus joint bids from Belgium-Netherlands and Portugal-Spain.