Prime Minister Gordon Brown believes support for England's 2018 World Cup bid is growing around the world.

The Football Association want to host the tournament for the second time and will be backed by the government.

"I believe, even more so than when we started this project, that it would be great to get the World Cup here," said Brown.

"I think we've got a lot of support. I think it's the right time as it will have been 52 years when 2018 comes around.

"I think there's increasing support around the world that the home of football should have the World Cup soon, and that should be 2018, which is the first time which we can now have it."

The Prime Minister added on Sky Sports News: "It would be great for football, great for sport and great for our country.

"We published a study showing all the benefits that would come. It would go to every region because you would have some of the World Cup matches in all the different parts of the country, so it has great benefits right across the country.