FIFA chief wants to fast-track 2022 World Cup decision

By Julian Linden

SYDNEY (Reuters) - FIFA president Sepp Blatter wants to fast-track the decision on where the 2022 World Cup will be played to 2011, triggering a likely frenzy of international bidding.

Blatter is proposing that soccer's world governing body brings forward the 2022 announcement by four years to 2011, the same time it is due to decide the venue for 2018.

"I will be making a proposal that the World Cup in 2018 and 2022 will be made together," Blatter told a news conference after the FIFA Congress on Friday.

"We can offer two competitions, for eight years, and the economic result ... for sponsors, would be better."

Blatter said he would encourage potential bidders to nominate for both events but said FIFA rules would prevent the two tournaments being staged in countries from the same continent.

"We do not have a rotation rule any more ... but the rule will not be changed that the World Cup cannot take place twice in a row on the same continent," he said.

"If a European country (for example) is chosen for 2018 then automatically the others (European bidders) for 2022 will be out."

The bidding for 2018 is already looming as a fierce contest with the United States, China, Russia, Australia, Japan, England, Mexico, Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium and Qatar all expressing interest.