Pele has backed England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup finals.
The Brazilian, regarded by many as the greatest player ever, is in England to attend the 150th anniversary of Sheffield United, the world’s oldest club .
“Everybody wants to have a World Cup but England is always prepared for a World Cup,” the 67-year-old three-times winner of the competition said.
“The only problem is Europe is very close. We have had the World Cup in Germany, Italy and France.
“People think they are almost the same but they don’t understand that it is a completely different country.
“But I think 12 years (from last year’s tournament in Germany) is long enough and England could have the World Cup.
“England have proved already they have good stadiums and no need to build new stadiums, so no doubt.”
The English Football Association announced their intention to bid for the event last week.
Pele said that his own country Brazil was well positioned to host the tournament in 2014.
“It is fantastic. The Brazilians love football, they live football,” he said.
“When Brazil was nominated to get the World Cup it was fantastic.
“Of course there is a lot of controversy about the situation and people ask if Brazil is ready to host the World Cup.
“If you look now, no-one is able to play in the World Cup. If FIFA was there now they would say no, but seven years from now Brazil will be in shape to host the World Cup.”
