England probing 2018 WC bid

“We have had discussions this week about whether we should throw our hat into the ring, and talked very seriously about it,” Caborn said.

Europe is likely to host the World Cup in 2018 because of the rotational system for choosing host countries employed by world governing body FIFA. South Africa was last week chosen as the host for 2010, with a South American country likely to host the 2014 edition. South Korea and Japan co-hosted the 2002 event.

The other four major European soccer nations – Italy, Spain, Germany and France – have all held the World Cup more recently than England, which won its only title when it hosted the event in 1966.

“There are tactical points to consider,” Caborn said. “We don’t want to dilute the potency of our bid for 2012. The outcome of that could have a bearing so we want to wait for the 2012 bid to be resolved before we progress any further.”

John Scott, UK Sport’s director of international relations major events, said if London won the Olympics, it could affect a World Cup bid.

“If we are going to be the Olympic host there is a huge responsibility in terms of test events and that could have an impact on the timing of bidding for other big events,” Scott said.

“We need to be absolutely confident we are not over-stretching ourselves financially because these mega events are a big call on the public purse, especially with the increases we are seeing in security costs.”