Fifa delay World Cup decision

Fifa's leaders have delayed a decision on World Cup bidding until December, it can be revealed.

The world governing body's president Sepp Blatter had been pushing for both the 2018 and the 2022 World Cup hosts to be voted on at the same decisive meeting in three years' time.

But opposition to the double tender surfaced at a meeting of Fifa's 24-man executive committee in Zurich today and a decision has been postponed until their next meeting in December.

It means that England's detailed plans for their campaign for the 2018 World Cup remain in limbo.

It would be a blow to England's hopes if only the 2018 tournament went to a vote in 2011 because it would probably mean the United States, potentially major rivals, entering the race.

If there was a double tender for 2018 and 2022, the USA would be more likely to target the latter tournament.

It is understood that there was serious reluctance among some Fifa executive committee members at today's meeting to consider bids for 2022 as it is 14 years away and few of them are likely to be around by then.

Blatter is expected to confirm the delay in any decision at a news conference later this afternoon.