He dismissed suggestions that the English bid will struggle to survive the first round of voting when the executive committee of football's world governing body, FIFA, meet to decide which country should host the tournament.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Sporting Edge, the minister said: "We will win five or six votes in the first round - we need five or six to stay in and will get it. I don't understand the negative attitude of journalists in this country."

Tony Banks: "We have the strongest case"

The English Football Association has been embroiled in controversy recently, with Graham Kelly resigning as chief executive in the wake of a £3.2m grant to Welsh counterparts.

The FA has also been accused of trying to influence Thailand to support the England bid by paying part of the salary of Thai national coach Peter Withe, who led the team to the Asian Games semi-finals in Bangkok.

But the FA insist they had no ulterior motive and their involvement was a response to an approach from Thailand and part of a programme to help develop the game around the world.

Mr Banks does not believe it will have any adverse effect on England's chances and said: "We are still very much favourites to get 2006 - you can believe me because I am Sports Minister.

"We are going around trying to explain the case, and England has the strongest case in the world."

Football knights Sir Geoff Hurst and Sir Bobby Charlton, who were part of the 1966 World Cup-winning side, are part of the team lobbying on England's behalf.