Uefa president Michel Platini will try to persuade Fifa next month to limit the 2018 World Cup candidates to European bids.

Platini believes the tournament should return to Europe every 12 years, and will attempt to convince Fifa’s executive committee to agree to 2018 being a straight fight between the four European bidders.

England, Russia and joint bids from Spain/Portugal and Holland/Belgium are the four submissions from European nations.

Should Fifa not agree, Platini revealed he may try to hold some sort of preliminary contest within Europe so that the candidates do not split the vote among the 24 members of Fifa’s executive committee who will decide on the hosts in December next year.

Platini told PA Sport: “If Fifa decides that it is in Europe it is not a problem, because then everyone will vote for a European bid but we have to know the rules of Fifa first.

“My job is to convince Fifa that 2018 should be in Europe because we have to come back to Europe every third time.

“If we get that then the four will fight for it.

“If there is no European decision perhaps we can find another decision or tactic with the Uefa executive committee.”

The England 2018 bid leaders had a 45-minute meeting with Fifa president Sepp Blatter yesterday, described as “excellent” by Football Association chairman Lord Triesman.

Platini, who dined with Triesman last night, was speaking in London today ahead of a tribute dinner to England head coach Fabio Capello being held by the League Managers’ Association.