LONDON -- The new head of soccer's European governing body thinks the
2018 World Cup should be in his region and would back a bid by England
to host the tournament.
The United States plans to bid for the 2018 tournament, and FIFA president
Sepp Blatter has said that under the rotation policy adopted seven years
ago, the North and Central American and Caribbean region would be in line
to host.
"As the president of UEFA, I will do my best" to bring the World
Cup back to Europe, Michel Platini, the president of the Union of European
Football Associations, said Wednesday.
Platini, the former star French player elected UEFA head last month, acknowledged
that it was "not so democratic" to jump ahead of other regions.
"I would like it in Europe every four years," he quipped. "If
it is not possible, then as soon as possible."
The 2002 World Cup was played in Japan and South Korea and last year's
tournament in Germany. The 2010 World Cup will be in South Africa, and
the 2014 tournament is assigned to South America, with Brazil the favorite
to win the vote of the FIFA executive committee in November.
Britain's government has said it would back a bid by England for the 2018
World Cup.
Platini also said UEFA is examining plans to have the third- and fourth-place
teams from Europe's top leagues play each other in qualifying for the
Champions League. Currently, they enter in the third round of qualifying
and meet teams from smaller nations.
Up to four teams from a country can wind up in the 32-team first round.
Platini also said a special "strategic body" would be created
later this year with representatives from federations, leagues, clubs
and players to assess the pressing issues, including the possibility of
a salary cap.
