England today started the race to host the 2018 World Cup as the early if unwilling favourites among the 10 hopeful bid teams.

FIFA's deadline for expressions of interest in hosting the 2018 and 2022 tournaments arrived today.

The uncertainty over whether joint bids will be allowed has given the England bid something of a flying start - their strongest rivals include the joint campaign planned by Spain and Portugal.

FIFA's executive committee will not decide until March 19 whether to change their rules to permit joint bids.

The 10 contenders are: England, Spain/Portugal, Russia, Holland/Belgium, USA, Mexico, Australia, Japan, Qatar and Indonesia.

Yet England 2018 bid leaders would prefer not to be regarded as front-runners for fear that it damages their chances or allows complacency to creep in.

One bid board member, Sir Keith Mills, has even insisted that England should no longer be regarded as the leaders of the pack.

Mills told PA Sport last week: "I don't think we are the favourites at all now.

"There's going to be strong competition from Spain and Portugal and Russia, and we shouldn't underestimate that.

"Australia will be getting the backing of Asia so it is not a foregone conclusion at all.

"But we are in a good starting position and providing we put a good bid together I believe we have a better than evens chance of succeeding."

Mills was the chief executive of London's successful bid for the 2012 Olympics, and England 2018 would prefer to be seen merely as strong challengers.

The fact that London is hosting the 2012 Games is a negative factor in some eyes - some FIFA members may not wish to give the two biggest sports events to the same country in such a short space of time.

Potentially the biggest threat to England could come from within - there are already suggestions of infighting and the Premier League have been sidelined by Football Association chairman Lord Triesman in terms of positions on the bid board.

This is no doubt a deliberate policy by Triesman as he needs to gain UEFA president Michel Platini's support to win the crucial European vote - there are eight Europeans on FIFA's 24-man executive committee, not including president Sepp Blatter.

Platini and the Premier League have been at odds for some time so it may suit England 2018 to distance themselves.

The field for 2018 is a big one but FIFA expect some of the contenders to fall by the wayside when the extent of the guarantees their governments have to provide are made clear.

The simultaneous bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments is another complicating factor - the likes of USA and Mexico may contest 2018 but with their ultimate aim being to win 2022.

The details of the actual bidding process will not be revealed until February 16, but FIFA have already decided a country will not be considered for 2022 if their continent is hosting 2018.

The decision will be made on both World Cups by FIFA's executive committee in December 2010.

England have already been installed as the bookies' favourites. William Hill's have made the England bid 11-8 to succeed and spokesman Graham Sharpe 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 £2billion - making it the biggest betting event of all time."