24 Nov 2008Fifa to select 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosts in 2010

Football Leagues/ Association and Governance

Fifa has confirmed that it is likely to announce the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups by the end of 2010 in order to allow the chosen countries more time to prepare.

South Africa, which is to hold the next tournament in 2010, is experiencing difficulties in completing construction work and making the necessary alterations to its infrastructure.

But now football's world governing body has stated today (November 24th) that it intends to give future hosts more time after awarding the finals to South Africa in May 2004.

General secretary Jerome Valcke said: "We have already had a discussion within Fifa around the possibility of designating both the 2018 and 2022 hosts at the same time.

"We will start the 2018 bidding process early next year and expect to make a decision by December 2010."

Valcke added that he believes that countries need a minimum of seven years in order to prepare themselves fully for hosting the showpiece event.

Euro 2012 co-hosts Ukraine and Poland have also suffered from logistical problems of late, with rumours that the tournament could be reallocated if the situation does not improve.

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