Franz Beckenbauer has warned the FA that England will lose out on hosting the World Cup finals in 2018 if the Premier League tries to stage matches abroad. The former Germany captain and manager believes there are some merits in the proposal for an international round of games, but has warned that it would be "cocky" to go against Fifa’s wishes.

Beckenbauer, who is a Fifa executive committee member, said England's bid for the 2018 World Cup will not have a chance unless they go "hand-in-hand" with the world governing body. Sepp Blatter, the Fifa president, has already expressed his opposition to the plan for each club to hold a 39th game in a foreign city.

"If Fifa is against this idea to put Premier League games outside the country, I wouldn't do it,” Beckenbauer said. "The decision on who gets the World Cup in 2018 will happen very soon and England are one of the favourites. At this time I wouldn't be so cocky to go against Fifa.

"In this period if you want to be the World Cup host you have to get hand-in-hand with Fifa - otherwise you don't get the chance."

Beckenbauer believes it is a good idea to export football - and even suggested playing the FA Cup Final in China. "It's a good idea that with important games such as the FA Cup Final, instead of playing at Wembley play it in Beijing or in Shanghai or wherever. I think it's a good idea from the clubs. I realise the comment of the Fifa president - he doesn't like it so much.

"He realises these games disturb the market but it is great promotion for important games in the Premier League being played outside the country. The idea is not bad. But I don't know if it works. Manchester United and Arsenal have a lot of fans but how do they get to Sydney? It's a good idea to export your football but practically I don't know."

Richard Scudamore, the Premier League chief executive, still wants to meet Blatter to explain the proposals in person and a visit to Fifa headquarters in Zurich could take place next week. Before that, however, the FA board will meet on Thursday to decide their policy towards the proposal. Last week, the FA released a statement expressing "serious reservations".

Beckenbauer said imposing quotas on foreign players could be a solution to some of the problems facing football. "England is suffering because of the situation, (in) Germany it is the same,” Beckenbauer said. “In all the major leagues in Europe they have the same problem and the youngsters have problems getting through because most of the teams prefer to buy foreigners.

"It's cheaper and probably easier and then they are not patient enough to wait for a 16, 17, 18-year-old boy to get to the first team."

Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini, the Uefa president, are proposing a "six-plus-five" rule with a minimum of six domestic players in a club side, although overcoming European legislation remains a big hurdle.

"It could be a good solution,” Beckenbauer said. “It is very controversial. You can say we are living in a global world and the markets are open, and football tries to go back to the old status to reduce, to have a six-plus-five regulation instead of opening the market. That is one side, the other side is to save the whole market."

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