Warner backs England 2018 Cup bid

Warner insists England and the FA remain unpopular in Europe

Fifa vice-president Jack Warner is keen on England hosting the 2018 World Cup - after previously warning he would do all he could to prevent it happening.

Warner, president of Concacaf, which covers North and Central America, and the Caribbean, said in 2007 that the event should be staged in his region.

He criticised the Football Association but now wants the tournament back in England for the first time since 1966.

"The time has come. The fact is they invented this sport," Warner said.

"They last held the World Cup 42 years ago. That is almost two to three generations. There are guys in England who have never seen a World Cup on English soil."

If England's time is 2018 I would be happy for them. However, this is not the collective view in Europe Jack Warner

Last August the Trinidadian claimed England and the FA were unpopular within the game.

He insisted France, Italy or Spain were more likely to host the World Cup if it was awarded to Europe.

His comments led to a firm riposte from England's 2018 World Cup ambassador Richard Caborn and former FA chairman Geoff Thompson.

But despite his change of stance, Warner maintains there is opposition to them from within Uefa.

"I have been critical of the FA," he told Sky Sports. "But if England's time is 2018 I would be happy for them.

"However from time to time, this is not the collective view in Europe."