Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer has backed England's 2018 World Cup bid.

Speaking after FIFA's executive committee delayed a final decision on the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments until December, Beckenbauer said: "England will have a great chance for 2018 because if it is going to come to Europe, which is my feeling for how it will go, then England will be in a very strong position.

"They have the best club football, the best infrastructure, and they have the fans.

"The national team did not perform so well when they failed to make Euro 2008 but they are back on track now under Fabio Capello in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, and that is important."