Ardiles has been appointed as an ambassador for the England campaign by the FA, along with fellow Argentinian and former Tottenham team-mate Ricky Villa and a host of other current and former players.

Ardiles became an idol for the White Hart Lane faithful during a 10-year stint in the Tottenham midfield and feels the fan factor will ultimately make the difference in convincing FIFA of England's credentials.

"England have all the qualifications to be one of the big contenders" Ardiles told Press Association Sport.

"I have to say that all the other bids are very impressive as well, but England have the communications, the stadiums, absolutely everything.

"And at the end of the day, what will make the difference will be the passion of the people - the passion for football here is second to none."

FIFA vice-president Jack Warner this week suggested England's bid was currently too "lightweight" and Ardiles admitted there was a lot of work to be done.

"It's still very early and this is all just speculation, albeit from a very important person in FIFA," Ardiles said.

"But what I think he wanted to say was that England doesn't have the right simply to be chosen, that they will have to work hard to have it.

"And of course, this is the case, not just for England, but for the other countries as well."

Looking ahead to next year's World Cup in South Africa, Ardiles believes Fabio Capello has created a side that can win the tournament, provided Wayne Rooney stays fit.

"Ever since I came to this country in 1978, every time England went to play in a World Cup, there was a hullabaloo they were going to win it, and it was based more on wishful thinking than fact," Ardiles said.

"But for the first time, England is in that category now. With Capello, they are much more powerful, robust, organised and disciplined, so they have a much greater chance, definitely.

"It also depends on some of the key players not being injured, people like (Steven) Gerrard, (Frank) Lampard and especially Rooney.

"I think if Rooney is injured, England will have a serious problem because he is the only one quality striker that they have right now. Rooney is the key man."

As for his own country, Ardiles still has faith a struggling Argentina side will make it to the finals and should not be underestimated if they do.

He said: "I think we are going to make it, maybe through the back door.

"They are playing terribly at the moment, really, really bad, but I think we are going to qualify and put things right and when Argentina are in the World Cup, they are very dangerous.

"The big favourites for the World Cup are first Brazil and then second, Spain, but then there are three or four others with a chance - one is England, and another will be Argentina."

Diego Maradona's position as national coach has come under increasing pressure after a string of poor results which have put Argentina's place in South Africa in jeopardy, and Ardiles - who played alongside Maradona at the 1982 World Cup - thinks whatever happens with his old friend over the coming weeks, it will be typically spectacular.

"Of course if we don't qualify he will be sacked straight away, and even if we qualify, there is still a big question mark, but we will have to wait a week to see what happens," Ardiles said.

"He has made a lot of mistakes, but with Diego, everyone knows what to expect - you either have absolute glory or absolute catastrophe.

"This is how it will happen - I would not be surprised if he made us world champions in South Africa, but it could also be complete catastrophe and we don't qualify."

Ardiles, who has been mentioned as a possible successor to Maradona, admitted he would be honoured to take on the job, but said the prospect was unlikely.

"Any man worth his salt would give an arm and a leg to manage such a wonderful squad of talent, so of course, I would like to," he said.

"But having said that, there is not much possibility. The next manager will be someone who is living in Argentina."

Ardiles was speaking at the launch of the Soccerex European Forum in Manchester, which will host its inaugural event in March 2010 and run annually until 2013.