Deputy first minister Igor Shuvalov, whose country has suddenly leaped ahead in the betting following FIFA president Sepp Blatter's public endorsement of the Russian bid, said football in England was already at saturation level.

"Football is so well established in England but one of the main aims of the World Cup should be to develop the sport," he said.

"Russia can do this more than England - and more than Spain and Portugal - in this respect.

"In terms of development, Russia should become candidate number one."

In handing over the Russian bid book - less than half the size of England's 1,700-page dossier - Shuvalov added a neat touch by presenting Blatter with a personal letter signed by prime minister Vladimir Putin.

FIFA have made it clear that government guarantees are vital and Russia has been pouring money into their campaign while Spain and Portugal appear to have slipped below the radar, along with the other joint bid of Holland and Belgium.

The latter is considered such an outsider that Shuvalov, accidentally or not, failed to even mention them during when playing up his own country's chances.

He insisted no connection should be made between Russia's bid and Ukraine's faltering plans to jointly host Euro 2012.

"Our economy is much stronger than theirs," he said.

Although Spain and Portugal, buoyed by Blatter's assurance that co-hosting is now legitimate, are no longer being spoken of as winners on December 2, they believe they could host the World Cup next year if necessary, never mind having to wait for 2018.

Spanish sports minister Jaime Lissavetzky was involved last year when Madrid lost out to Rio de Janeiro in their bid to host the 2014 Olympic Games.

However, he considers bidding for the World Cup to be a whole different ball game.

Lissavetzky said: "Bidding for the World Cup and the Olympic Games is very different.

"It's essential to be able to answer all the demands that FIFA makes and we are experienced in this sort of work.

"We do not have any worries either about the costs of hosting a World Cup, despite the current economic situation.

"By 2018, the economic situation will have improved and be very different from now."