Blatter says Europe not sure to host 2018 World Cup

LONDON, Feb 28 (Reuters) FIFA president Sepp Blatter said today that the 2018 World Cup finals could be held in North America or Asia as easily as in Europe.

He dismissed suggestions that it was a foregone conclusion that the tournament would be held in Europe.

England, who hosted the tournament in 1966, have expressed a strong interest in staging the 2018 finals. The United States, Australia and China have also signalled intentions to host the world's biggest single sporting event.

Blatter was in England for a series of meetings including one with Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown later today.

He told a media briefing: ''I can understand the eagerness of the English FA, supported by politicians, to stage the finals, but it is not definite the finals will come back to Europe in 2018.

''If the FIFA executive committee decide later this year that the rotation policy is maintained, in strict procedure it should be in North America in 2018 -- and there are three countries who could host it there: the United States, Mexico and Canada.'' FIFA will make a decision on the host nation for the 2014 finals in November. Brazil are the expected, but far from certain choice.

South Africa will host the 2010 tournament.

That decision will have a huge impact on the future rotation policy and in turn the destination of the 2018 finals.

The United States said last week it would consider a bid for 2018, while Blatter said that senior Chinese officials had informed him of their interest.

''In discussing the Beijing Olympics, Chinese officials have also told me they are considering a bid for a future World Cup,'' he added.

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