FIFA scrapped their rotation policy for the prestige tournament, opening the door for bids from Australia as well as England, Russia, China and the USA.

Today Football Federation Australia confirmed that they were set to join the bidding for the competition.

"We are very serious," said FFA CEO Ben Buckley. "We have flagged our intention to bid for the World Cup at the earliest opportunity.

"We are delighted FIFA have decided to abandon their rotation policy."

He added: "That gives us the opportunity to bid for and hopefully be successful in securing the right to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

"I've no doubt that if the policy stayed in place the opportunity to host would have been at a later period.

"So whilst we will be competing with European-based nations and nations from all over the world, we think this will be a better system and a better opportunity for us."

The cost of a campaign to win the rights for the World Cup is tipped to top $35 million to impress FIFA that Australia has what it takes.

The success of the Sydney Olympics in 2000 could be a big factor in the decision but it may require Australia to build new stadiums to host the event.

Current regulations insist on a minimum 40,000 capacity for each stadium and FIFA are unlikely to want ovals like the MCG.

The stiffest opposition could come from England which won't have hosted the World Cup in more than 50 years by 2018.

The English FA are set to launch an aggressive campaign for their right to host, backed by the UK Government.

But Buckley played down suggestions England already had the bid in the bag and said he expected strong support from the Australian Federal Government.

"I don't think anyone is a shoo-in," he said. "The race has only just started so I'm not sure anyone can be a shoo-in.

"I think Australia's credentials stack up against anyone's in the world."

Earlier today, Blatter told a news conference in Zurich: "We have not played the 2010 World Cup or formally attributed the 2014 World Cup and already we have a bunch of big, great candidates for 2018 and there can be more.

"Besides England, where I have just met the Prime Minister, there are other European candidates - a combined offer from the Netherlands and Belgium as in Euro 2000 - and interest from China, Australia, Mexico and from USA."

Blatter said the FIFA executive committee would decide on the hosts in 2011 and that bids would have to be officially submitted at least two years beforehand.

"I think they should start their bidding [campaign] tomorrow!" he added.