Pele backs England World Cup bid

Pele is in England to celebrate the anniversary of the oldest club

World Cup legend Pele believes England has a strong case to host the showpiece tournament in 2018.

The Football Association will bid to stage the World Cup, with Pele's homeland Brazil hosting in 2014.

Pele, in England as part of the 150th anniversary of Sheffield FC, the game's oldest club, said: "England is always prepared for a World Cup.

"England have proved already they have good stadiums and no need to build new stadiums, so no doubt."

Interview: Brazil legend Pele

The three-time World Cup winner said: "The only problem is Europe is very close. We have had the World Cup in Germany, Italy and France.

"People think they are almost the same but they don't understand that it is a completely different country.

"But I think 12 years (from last year's tournament in Germany) is long enough and England could have the World Cup."

Pele featured last time England hosted the tournament in 1966 but it was in 1958, 1962 and 1970 that he tasted glory with the mighty Brazilians.