England's 2018 World Cup bid has received a boost after the Japanese Football Association has pulled out of the running. Japan's withdrawal leaves England as one of six bidders looking to host either the 2018 or 2022 tournament, with FIFA set to name the hosts in December.

Australia, Russia, the United States, Belgium/Netherlands and Spain/Portugal are the other countries hoping to host the most prestigious football tournament in the world.

The Japanese Football Association's decision was largely down to the fact that it wants to focus all its attention on bidding for the 2022 tournament.

England's bid includes a plan to use 15 stadia in 12 cities and bidders must submit their final proposals to FIFA on 14th May.

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