England: Tag of early favourites is well-justified: they have the stadia, infrastructure and profile to warrant that position. Football Association and bid chairman Lord Triesman has done well to identify UEFA president Michel Platini as the key to success. Some doubts persists because of Premier League's enduring antipathy to Platini. William Hill odds: 11-8.

Spain/Portugal: Powerful opponents for England - but only if FIFA decide in March to allow joint bids. Currently, FIFA regulations do not allow for joint campaigns. Have excellent stadia and can be sure of the three South American votes on FIFA's 24-man executive committee. Odds: 4-1

Australia: Best of the candidates from the Asian confederation and the most likely destination if 2018 does not go to Europe. Can point to the fact that it would be a new territory for the World Cup, something that FIFA likes, plus is a sport-crazy nation with good infrastructure. Odds: 4-1.

Russia: Major players in football politics, especially as UEFA president Platini came to power on the back of support from eastern Europe. But the vast distances - there are nine time zones - and the struggles of Ukraine and Poland over preparing for Euro 2012 may persuade FIFA members to go for a safer bet. Odds: 6-1.

Holland/Belgium: Another candidate waiting to see what unfolds regarding joint bids. Can at least demonstrate they worked well together to put on Euro 2000 and have the facilities but perhaps not the glamour of England and Spain/Portugal. Odds: 14-1.

Mexico: Twice World Cup hosts in the last 40 years - 1970 and 1986 - and provided two of the most memorable tournaments. But with the World Cup going to Brazil in 2014, will FIFA really want another Latin American experience so soon afterwards? Odds: 16-1.

USA: Strong candidates - but for 2022 rather than 2018 which is more likely to go to Europe. Had the tournament fairly recently, in 1994, but that was judged a great success and FIFA remember fondly the television and marketing opportunities. Odds: 20-1.

Japan: Recent hosts, in 2002 jointly with South Korea, and would undoubtedly be another commercial and administrative success. But at the moment are distant outsiders with little political clout. Odds: 20-1.

South Korea: Surprise late entrants, and like Japan, they have been there and done it in 2002, but it looks too soon to bid again. Odds: 20-1

Qatar: Following up their hopeless attempt for the 2016 Olympics by trying their luck for the World Cup. Still have not answered the question about how players would deal with the extreme heat in June/July - apart from one idea about an underground stadium. Odds: 33-1.

Indonesia: Surprise entrants and rank outsiders with little heritage, infrastructure and influence to boast of. Odds: 50-1.

Egypt: Can only bid for 2022 under FIFA's partial rotation system. Have staged the African Nations Cup successfully but are very much outsiders.