THE Football Association has won backing from Gordon Brown for an attempt to stage the 2018 World Cup in England for the first time since 1966.

FA officials have met the Chancellor privately to seek confirmation that there would be support from the Treasury — and, if Mr Brown has taken over from Tony Blair by then, and Labour remains in power, from No 10. Mr Brown is understood to have expressed enthusiasm for the plan at two meetings with FA officials.

Yesterday it was announced that Prince William is to become president of the Football Association, taking over from the Duke of York in May — just in time for the World Cup finals in Germany.

The first meeting at which FA officials raised the idea of a World Cup bid with Mr Brown was early in 2004. Mark Palios, then chief executive, Sir Trevor Brooking, director of football, and David Davies, the executive director, had been at a meeting about promoting football in the community.

Shortly before the general election in May, Mr Davies, then acting chief executive of the FA, saw Mr Brown about plans to increase footballing opportunities in Africa and again raised the prospect of a World Cup bid. Mr Brown voiced support.

Treasury sources said that Mr Brown had indicated that he would be as supportive of a World Cup bid as Mr Blair had been of London’s triumphant attempt to secure the 2012 Olympic Games.

Stewart Wood, one of Mr Brown’s special advisers, has been involved in talks with the FA about its outline plans.

A successful England bid to stage the World Cup, with the final at the new Wembley Stadium, would be a coup for Mr Brown if, as is expected, he succeeds Mr Blair. He would have to win a general election to be in charge when the outcome is decided by Fifa, probably in 2012. FA sources admit that they approached Mr Brown on the assumption that he would be prime minister at the time.

Yesterday the Prince, 23, said that he was excited to be taking over the FA presidency. “Football is a game I love playing and watching,” he said. “It is also the national sport and generates extraordinary passions among millions. It certainly did for me when I followed England with my friends during Euro 2004, and will no doubt do so again during the World Cup in Germany.” Brazil, the favourite to win next year, is expected to put up a strong case to host the tournament in 2014.

Brian Barwick, the new FA chief executive, said last month: “The next time that it should come to Europe is probably 2018 and we have got time to get organised.”

Treasury officials said that Mr Brown was enthusiastic about the prospects of bringing the tournament to England and thought the public cost could be kept to a minimum.

The FA apparently told Mr Brown that it would need full ministerial backing to fend off the competition. The FA’s enthusiasm to press ahead has increased since the surprise victory by London over Paris to host the 2012 Olympics.

Germany (twice), Spain, Italy and France have staged the World Cup since England was host in 1966, and Sepp Blatter, the president of Fifa, said 12 months ago: “I would say they should bid. It is the homeland of football. They are building stadia and other facilities for the Olympics, Wembley is almost finished. Maybe they would be used for a bid.”

Tessa Jowell, the Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, supported the FA’s move. She told The Times that there had been tentative and exploratory discussions with the Treasury.

“It is impossible to launch a bid like this, unless there is a very clear and strong government support and the FA are, quite rightly, at a very early stage, taking soundings,” she said. “The FA will have a discussion about the feasibility.”

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