US Soccer President Sunil Gulati announced tongith that they have officially submitted a declaration of interest to host either the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups.

 

He said: "I'm pleased to announce we have submitted our interest to FIFA to host either the 2018 or 2022 World Cups.

 

"The World Cup is the greatest sporting event in the world, and to have the opportunity to host it once again is an honor, but also an incredible challenge."

 

The US last hosted the event in 1994, when the tournament was won by Brazil, who beat Italy in the final on penalties.

 

Gulati said: "We are confident we can put together a successful bid to host another impressive event, and invite fans from around the world to enjoy the worlds game in our country."

 

The entire bid process will span 16-months, with FIFA setting May 2010 as the deadline for countries to submit their final paperwork.

 

FIFA's ruling 24-man Executive Committee will then review each bid and name the two hosts for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups in December 2010.

 

US Soccer also announced David Downs is to be the executive director of the USA Bid Committee.

 

Downs, who will start immediately, previously served as President of Univision Sports from 2001-2009.

 

He said: "It is a privilege to be named executive director and have the opportunity to be part of the country's bid to bring the World Cup back to the United States.

 

"I believe the sport will continue its incredible growth in this country and I know that the US can host yet another first class World Cup tournament.

 

"It's a formidable challenge, but I'm looking forward to dedicating the next two years to the pursuit of that goal."

 

Gulati will serve as the chairman of the bid committee, with US Soccer chief executive Dan Flynn, Major league Soccer Commissioner Don Garber and Phil Murphy, the former national finance chairman of the Democratic National Committee, as the other initial members of the committee.

 

There will be 12 bidders for the tournaments, led by England.

 

William Hill's have made the England bid 11-8 to succeed.

 

Graham Sharpe, the spokesman, said: "We have made England favourites - as much because we believe there is a very good chance of getting it as that we have already taken quite a few bets.

 

"It will undoubtedly be our biggest potential payout - however, we would be delighted to pay out as the potential betting turnover should England get it would smash all previous records and soar beyond £2 billion - making it the biggest betting event of all time."

 

The other bidders are Australia, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Qatar, Russia and South Korea.

 

There are also joint bids from Belgium-Netherlands and Portugal-Spain.

 

But FIFA President Sepp Blatter warned last week that joint bids are unlikely to succeed because there are so many other strong candidates.

 

Nevertheless, Portugal and Spain, along with Australia, are both second favourites at 4-1.

 

Other possible hosts that are prominent in the betting include Russia, who are 6-1 and Mexico who are 16-1 with William Hill.