FA won't commit yet to World Cup bid

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The board of the FA are meeting on Wednesday to discuss their next step after FIFA opened the way for an England bid by scrapping rotation of the tournament between the continents.

But nothing more than the commissioning of a feasibility study will be announced as the FA first want to make absolutely sure they have necessary political support in FIFA and UEFA.

The FA spent around £4million on the failed bid for the 2006 tournament - a third of the total cost - and are proceeding cautiously before committing a similar sum to a fresh project for 2018.

That caution will cause some exasperation in Government circles - they would prefer a more positive response, such as sending a letter to FIFA expressing an intention in principle to bid.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown is very keen for England to bid and has appointed former sports minister Richard Caborn as his World Cup ambassador. The FA, along with Caborn and Brown, were however delighted after FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Monday picked England out as one of the main contenders for 2018.

Former national team boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has also spoken of his hope that the finals come to England in 2018.

The Manchester City manager said: "It would be very nice for England to have the World Cup again, especially at the new Wembley. I hope they get it - and good luck!"

Meanwhile, the selection panel choosing the first independent chairman of the FA will meet on Wednesday to discuss names put forward by the firm of headhunters. Caborn's name will be on the list, and other contenders include former Football League chairman Keith Harris and Lord Marland, the former treasurer of the Conservative Party.

No decision is expected to be made by the panel for a couple of months however.