FRANZ Beckenbauer has dubbed England "a perfect football country" and believes it has a good chance of hosting the 2018 World Cup.
Beckenbauer, a member of Fifa's Executive Committee which decides the World Cup hosts, was heavily involved in Germany's hosting of the 2006 tournament.
The Germany legend, attending a Uefa meeting in Zagreb, said: "I think England is one of the b
est countries in the world. It is a perfect football country. If England stick to their bid, of course, they have a chance to host the 2018 World Cup."
Last year's decision by Fifa's executive committee to scrap the rotation of the tournament between the continents was a major boost for England's hopes.
If England are to become the sixth nation to host the tournament for a second time – having staged the 1966 finals – they will have to beat strong contenders Australia, Russia, China and the United States.
Spain and the Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg in a combined offer) have also expressed their desire to host the event.
Beckenbauer believes England would have a better chance of success if they were the only European nation to make a bid.
"We will have to wait and see who else will bid," said Beckenbauer. "There are rumours that there might be a combined offer from the Benelux countries. This is a disadvantage for the Europeans. I think they have a better chance if they go with just one country."
England lost out to Germany in bidding to host the tournament in 2006.
Uefa president Michel Platini wants the competition to return to Europe in 2018.
"Our hope is that it comes to Europe," the France great said. "But we haven't discussed the best choice of which country to defend from Europe because we don't know which candidates will bid."
When asked if the Premier League's forthright response to his criticism of the number of foreign players in England would influence his support for any bid, he said: "I don't think the Premier League is so aggressive but then again, we can defend ourselves.
"At any rate, I would vote in favour of a European country."
The final decision on the hosting of the 2018 event is likely to be taken in October 2011.
The full article contains 383 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
