Australia
Australia have a lot of world class stadiums at their disposal and a recent history of hosting a successful Rugby World Cup, Olympics and Commonwealth games. Football Australia are yet to comment, but a bid is likely and could be succeed if not in 2018 then for 2022. Read more on an Australian 2018 bid here.
Canada
Canada has shown some interest in making a bid, if not on their own then with the USA & maybe Mexico too. A lot of new stadiums would need to be built to cater for the tournament.
China
China host the 2008 Summer Olympics, the success of these games could have quite an impact on their potential to bid for the World Cup Finals. They are due to host the Womens World Cup for a second time in 2007 and FIFA President Sepp Blatter has suggested that they may be a candidate to host 2018. Read more on a Chinese 2018 bid here.
Mexico
The Mexicans are interested in hosting the 2018 World Cup, they have hosted the competition on two previous occassions (1970 & 1986). The Mexican Football Federation want to be ready if FIFA look at the CONCACAF area to provide a host.
Netherlands & Belgium
There has been some talk of the joint hosts of the European Championships in 2000 working together for a World Cup hosting bid, but FIFA have recently said that joint hosting bids won’t be allowed in the future. There is a chance though as both share the same currency and have open land borders between them as part of the EU. Read more on a Benelux bid here.
Spain
Spain have hosted the World Cup on one previous occassion in 1982 and could be England’s main challengers from Europe for 2018, little details are to emerge so far from Spain though.
Russia
Russia will bid for the 2018 World Cup after Russian Minister of Sport Viacheslav Fetisov announced their intent, read more on a Russian 2018 bid here.
right in my opinion Russia have a glimmer of hope for the world cup but Australia or England are the most likely candidates, and not being bias here, as i am an English fan myself, but i think if Australia did get the world cup its highly unlikely that they would win it. where as England being in there own country i think would do very well if not go all the way and win. And once again surely the country that invented the beautiful game itself should be hosts. as we have the stadiums where as Australia will have to upgrade there cricket stadiums. But i think England would pull off a fantastic world cup, and hopefully by 2018 video technology will be in use for these world cups as it was shown it was desperately needed in South Africa this year, ask Mexican and English fans they will tell you its needed, but really i just think it would be great if England did get the world cup for 2018.
THREE LIONS ALL THE WAY!
Best Bids 2018
1 England home off football
2 Holland/Belgium most energy free new stadiums
3 Spain/Portugal biggest stadiums
4 Russia good wodka