FIFA president Sepp Blatter wants Spain to bid for the 2018 World Cup.
“I have good memories of the 1982 World Cup in Spain,” Blatter told a party of officials from Spain led by Angel Maria Villar, a vice president of FIFA.
“I have heard that you might have some interest in hosting another World Cup,” Blatter said Monday.
“I encourage the Spanish FA to present a bid and the next occasion when this would be possible is for 2018.”
South Africa will host the tournament in 2010, and Brazil has been awarded the 2014 World Cup.
The English Football Association has already announced its intention bid for the right to host the 2018 tournament. Other likely candidates include the United States, Mexico, Canada, Belgium and Netherlands as a joint bid, Russia, China, Japan and Australia.
