A government study suggesting England are in a good position to bid for the 2018 World Cup finals was welcomed by the Football Association on Monday.

The study, which came as Chancellor Gordon Brown reiterated his support for a bid, said England was well-placed in terms of stadiums and general public support -- should the FA decide to press ahead.

The FA is waiting until FIFA, the game's ruling body, indicates which continent will be chosen for 2018 under its rotation policy. South Africa will host 2010 and the 2014 tournament will be held in South America.

FA chief executive Brian Barwick said in a statement: "FIFA have not yet announced which continent will be awarded the 2018 World Cup, but if it does come to Europe the FA will give very serious consideration to a bid.

"We have the stadiums, the infrastructure, a multi-cultural society and a passion for the game that few countries can match.

"In addition, every major European football nation has hosted the World Cup since 1966."

As for politicians, Barwick said: "Government backing is a central part of any successful World Cup bid and this study underlines this government's commitment to bringing the world's biggest sports events to these shores.

"It is also hugely encouraging that there is such a groundswell of public support for a World Cup in England.

"As we saw last year in Germany, when the host country gets behind the competition, it gives it an extra buzz, and the colour and atmosphere of an English World Cup would be something really special."

BROWN UPBEAT

Brown, who is expected to become prime minister later this year when Tony Blair steps down, was upbeat about a bid during his visit to the new Wembley Stadium on Monday.

"Everything is in place and we now have to go out and sell it and show that the enthusiasm of the young people is such that, if we win, this will be the greatest sporting decade for our country," Brown said.

"We (would) have the Olympics in 2012, the World Cup in 2018 and I think we would be the greatest sporting nation in the world because so many young people will want to be sports men and women of the future."

He added: "I have been around the world, I have been in Asia, America and Europe and I think there is great support for England having it 50 years after we won the World Cup in 1966."

England hosted those finals in 1966, winning their first and only tournament trophy.