The country where the game was founded has enjoyed an automatic vice-presidency on governing body Fifa since the end of World War II.

The position is shared between the four home associations of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

But the privilege now seems likely to be challenged in the wake of FA chairman Keith Wiseman's own abortive bid to seize the place from Scotland.

Three members of FIFA's executive committee have told Northern Ireland FA president Jim Boyce that a motion will be put before the world governing body in Los Angeles next year.

In the past, similar moves have been overwhelmingly defeated, with European nations rallying to the UK's support.

But Boyce fears that the mood in Europe has turned in recent months, following the FA ignoring a gentleman's agreement with Germany over the 2006 World Cup.

Then the association switched support from UEFA president Lennart Johansson to Sepp Blatter for the race to become head of Fifa.

And the recent controversy over the £3.2m loan to the Welsh FA has hardly helped improve England's reputation.

'Potentially damaging development'

Boyce revealed: "Three members of the FIFA executive have told me that a motion calling for the end of the Home Nations' vice-presidency would be on the agenda at the special congress next July.

"That would be a very serious and potentially damaging development for British football."

The English FA are thought to be far from convinced of this argument.

Some within the organisation would like to have the freedom to bid for the place without having to share it with the three smaller countries.