<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=629 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3><DIV class=mxb><DIV class=sh></DIV></DIV></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=416><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=203 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><DIV> <DIV class=cap>Blatter wants to see Fifa's rotation policy continued</DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Fifa president Sepp Blatter has raised serious doubts over England's hopes of staging the World Cup in 2018.
If Fifa's executive committee decides in December to maintain its rotation policy, the tournament will be held in either North America or Asia.
Blatter, in London to meet Chancellor Gordon Brown, said: "The executive must take a decision whether the rotation should include all federations.
"If the Americas are considered as one, then rotation would go to Asia."
The USA has indicated its intention to bid to stage the finals for a second time, while China has thrown its hat into the ring along with Australia.
606 DEBATE: Your views on Blatter's comments
Fifa's December executive committee meeting could decide to throw the competition out to all bidders.
Blatter said: "It may be that the majority of the Fifa executive committee where you have eight European representatives out of 24, can find the 13 votes needed."
The Fifa president said his personal inclination was for the rotation to continue to North America, with the USA, Mexico, and Canada all capable of hosting the tournament.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
If Fifa's executive committee decides in December to maintain its rotation policy, the tournament will be held in either North America or Asia.
Blatter, in London to meet Chancellor Gordon Brown, said: "The executive must take a decision whether the rotation should include all federations.
"If the Americas are considered as one, then rotation would go to Asia."
The USA has indicated its intention to bid to stage the finals for a second time, while China has thrown its hat into the ring along with Australia.
606 DEBATE: Your views on Blatter's comments
Fifa's December executive committee meeting could decide to throw the competition out to all bidders.
Blatter said: "It may be that the majority of the Fifa executive committee where you have eight European representatives out of 24, can find the 13 votes needed."
The Fifa president said his personal inclination was for the rotation to continue to North America, with the USA, Mexico, and Canada all capable of hosting the tournament.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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