Sepp Blatter: "It would be logical to give the World Cup 2006 to an African Country"

In a meeting at Downing Street Mr Blair and Sports Minister Tony Banks told the head of world football's governing body that England has the facilities, communications and experience to host the game's biggest event.

Mr Banks said the hour-long meeting had gone "extraordinarily well".

Sports Minister Tony Banks: Meeting went "extraordinarily well"

Many observers believe the prize will go to either England or South Africa, with England's successful hosting of Euro 96 having seen off a challenge for the European bid from Germany.

But Mr Blatter has said that South Africa would be the logical choice after tournaments in the USA in 1994, in Europe in 1998 and the forthcoming Asian World Cup in 2002.

After the meeting he reasserted that view. He said: "It would be logical to give the World Cup 2006 to an African country."

He added that he was "proud to be in the motherland of football" and that an English bid would be "professional".

England 'first reserve'

Nick Bryant reports from Downing Street

BBC correspondent Nick Bryant says many observers believe the England bid is rapidly being seen as a first reserve.

South Africa has successfully hosted the rugby union World Cup, but its transport infrastructure and problems with crime could detract from its bid.

England's campaign has had full government backing

England's bid benefits because it would not have to start a major stadium-building process. But its hopes have been dented by a recent resurgence of football-related violence.

After his meeting at Downing Street Mr Blatter was meeting England's 1966 World Cup heroes Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Geoff Hurst and Gordon Banks, as well as Foreign Office minister Derek Fatchett, at a reception at the Foreign Office.