Blatter rates England's chances

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has insisted England would stand a "very good" chance of hosting the 2018 World Cup - if the tournament comes back to Europe in that year.

Blatter has warned England will face serious competition and the first hurdle to be cleared being for FIFA's executive committee to open up that tournament to European bidders.

China, the USA and Australia are potential opponents, but the FIFA president said: "I know there are other countries who would like to have the World Cup. But yes if it comes back to Europe, England would have a very good chance because they have the best technical infrastructure, organisation of security, and safe and confident stadiums."

He added: "It's an example to the world."

Blatter also poured scorn on rumours the 2010 World Cup would not be held in South Africa.

He added: "Please book now because 2010 will be in South Africa I have no doubts about that. There were some hesitations but they are on the right track now, definitely."

Blatter met Chancellor Gordon Brown, sports minister Richard Caborn and FA chairman Geoff Thompson on Wednesday for talks on a bid.

Thompson made the point to Blatter that all the other four major European countries had staged the tournament since 1966 - twice in Germany's case.

Thompson told PA Sport: "We told him we feel we are in the right place, with the right infrastructure and the best stadia in the world.

"We said it would be good to bring the game home again. We gave the game to the world and it would be nice, a few years away from our 150th anniversary, to have it back in England."