Franz Beckenbauer hopes England will host 2018 WC finals

London, July 6(ANI): Football legend Franz Beckenbauer, who is in the FIFA committee that picks the venue for 2018 and 2022, gave hopes of England hosting the 2018 football World cup.

"England would be ready tomorrow. As a UEFA member, I would like to see it in Europe but it is an open race," The Sun quoted Beckenbauer, as saying.

"England could host it tomorrow because they have the stadiums, the infrastructure, the fans, everything. But there are a lot of other different countries bidding. Let's wait and see," the ex-West Germany skipper added.eckenbauer believes 2018 would be Europe's turn, as the 2010 tournament is scheduled for South Africa and the 2014 finals in Brazil.

FIFA will name the 2018 hosts in December 2010, and the continent that will hold the 2018 finals will be unable to bid for 2022.

Meanwhile, Beckenbauer rates Australia as a strong contender for the 2022 finals.

"I think they (Australia) have a good chance because the World Cup has never been to Australia. Australia's a beautiful country, a beautiful continent," said Beckenbauer. (ANI)