Asian chief supports Euro bid

THE Asian Football Confederation president has thrown his support behind a 2018 World Cup in Europe.

England, Russia, Belgium with Holland, and Spain with Portugal as well as Australia and the United States are hoping to host either the 2018 or 2022 editions, while 2011 Asian Cup hosts Qatar and 2002 World Cup hosts South Korea and Japan are in the running for the 2022 tournament. Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohamed Bin Hammam stressed to delegates at the AFC Extraordinary Congress in South Africa that Asian FIFA executive committee members were free to support any bid.

"I want to assure Europe on behalf of AFC that we recognise and support their desire to host the 2018 edition," said Bin Hammam.

FIFA will announce the venues for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals on 2 December.