US Soccer president Sunil Gulati has hinted they would avoid Phoenix being a World Cup host city due to Arizona's new immigration law.

After submitting their World Cup bid, Gulati was asked whether the committee would not select Phoenix, Ariz., if the U.S. were to host the World Cup in six months.

"We'd have to think long and hard about it," replied Gulati. "I'm not prepared to say that today. I think they've struck the balance in a way that is not the way I'd strike the balance. My hope is that there will be some changes in that legislation, whether it's because of legal issues or public opinion.

"But public opinion is a little awkward to rely only on because the Gallup polls, so to speak, nationally show a majority of Americans in favor of the measures that Arizona has taken. It's not one that shared by me, certainly. I don't think I'm prepared to say how we'd react if it happened in six months. We have 18 cities, we only need 12. It may not need to cost us votes because it may cost the state."