The English FA cast aside their caution today and announced England will join the race to host the 2018 World Cup.

A board meeting at Soho Square today which was expected to merely take the first tentative steps towards a bid ended with the FA's directors immediately declaring their intention to bring the World Cup to England 52 years after it was last staged in the country.

The caution was in large part due to the painful memories of seven years ago when England's bid for the 2006 finals ended in humiliating defeat.

However the encouragement of senior footballing figures — including Fifa president Sepp Blatter, Uefa president Michel Platini and Germany's Fifa executive committee member Franz Beckenbauer — persuaded the FA the time was right to announce a bid even though it is four years before a decision will be made.

FA chairman Geoff Thompson said: "I'm delighted the FA board have been so positive in their support for a bid. It would be tremendous for English football and the whole country if we are successful.

"The tremendous support from Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his government has also been a key consideration."

FA chief executive Brian Barwick said England were in an excellent position to win a bid and the organisation have already drawn up an outline blueprint of their plans for the campaign.

Among the key issues identified include maximising support for England internationally plus the nuts of bolts of putting a bid team together and financing a campaign that is likely to cost around €20 million.

Barwick said: "This is a great moment for all of us who love the game in this country. The excitement and expectation from the public to a prospective bid has been incredible."

One senior board member said the attitude among most fellow directors was that the FA "should go for it — and go for it now" rather than go down the road of commissioning another feasibility study.