LONDON: England confirmed Wednesday it will bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

Two days after FIFA scrapped its policy of rotating the tournament among its confederations, the Football Association wants England to stage it for a second time. England won the 1966 title at home.

“I'm delighted to announce our intention to bid to host the World Cup in 2018,” FA chairman Geoff Thompson said. “This follows FIFA's announcement on Monday that the previous rotation policy will be discontinued, and the positive comments made by FIFA president Sepp Blatter.”

If FIFA had decided to stick with its rotation policy, it is likely Europe would have had to wait many years to host the event again because Germany staged the last World Cup in 2006.

Blatter said before FIFA's ruling in Zurich that he would welcome a bid from England, which is likely to face opposition from China, Australia, Mexico, the United States, Russia, Spain and a joint bid from the Netherlands and Belgium.

“The tremendous support from Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his government has also been a key consideration in today's decision,” Thompson said. “I'm delighted the FA board have been so positive in their support for a bid. It would be tremendous for English football and the whole country if we are successful.”

England's bid to stage the 2006 World Cup ended in an early elimination in voting. Germany won that championship by edging South Africa, which won the vote for 2010. Brazil will stage the event in 2014.

The wealth of the Premier League and the TV revenue it generates globally will be an advantage for England. So will the fact that many of the stadiums needed to stage a World Cup are already built.

Wembley has been rebuilt with a capacity of 90,000, Manchester United's Old Trafford holds 76,000 and Arsenal's Emirates Stadium has 60,000 seats. Liverpool's replacement stadium for Anfield — due to be constructed in 2010 — will also be available, while the grounds of Newcastle United (St. James' Park), Manchester City (City of Manchester Stadium), Aston Villa (Villa Park) and Sunderland (Stadium of Light) are large enough to host World Cup games.

“This is a great moment for all of us who love the game in this country,” FA chief executive Brian Barwick said. “The excitement and expectation from the public to a prospective bid has been incredible.

“It is very clear that the English football public wants to see the World Cup back in this country. We now have to begin the hard work of putting together our plans for a successful bid.”