Qatar football secretary general Saud al-Muhanadi has confirmed that the federation has joined the race to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.

The Asian country becomes the 10th nation to bid for the event joining England, Spain/Portugal (joint bid), Netherlands/Belgium (joint bid), Japan, China, Mexico, USA, Canada and Australia.

"I can confirm that the Qatar football federation has today sent a letter to FIFA in which it officially declared its candidacy for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups," al-Muhanadi told AFP.

Qatar will host the 2011 Asian Cup and the success of that event will give them every hope of clinching the world's biggest football tournament.