Australia's chances of hosting the FIFA World Cup have been given a boost with England withdrawing their 2022 bid to focus on winning the right to host the tournament in 2018.
David Dein, former chairman of the Football Association and now international president of England's bid to FIFA, said he expected the USA to withdraw their 2018 bid to concentrate solely on 2022.
The USA's withdrawal would make 2018 a purely European race, with England, Russia, Spain/Portugal and Holland/Belgium all competing to host the greatest show on earth after Brazil in 2014.
One continent cannot host successive World Cups, meaning England would be ineligible to host in 2022 should the US drop out as expected.
"[UEFA President] Michel Platini believes that 2018 should come to Europe and we believe that is our strongest case," Dein said.
"We are sure it won't be long before America will withdraw from 2018, leaving themselves a run on 2022."
"We are not really interested in 2022. Consequently we will almost certainly withdraw from 2022, leaving us with a European battle."
Qatar, South Korea, Japan and Australia are also bidding to host the tournament in 12 years' time.
FIFA will announce the winning bids for both tournaments in Zurich on December 2.