The Asian Football Confederation president has thrown his support behind a 2018 World Cup in Europe, while confirming the continent is set on hosting the 2022 tournament.
England, Russia, neighbours Belgium and Holland and Spain and Portugal as well as Australia and the United States are hoping to host the 2018 or 2022 editions, while 2011 Asian Cup host Qatar and 2002 World Cup hosts South Korea and Japan are in the running for the 2022 tournament only.
Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed Bin Hammam stressed to delegates at the AFC Extraordinary Congress in South Africa that Asian FIFA executive committee members were free to support any bid.
"I want to assure Europe on behalf of AFC that we recognise and support their desire to host the 2018 edition," said Bin Hammam.
"It will be an open bid and everybody is free to support anyone. But our support is for Europe when it comes to 2018.
"The mood inside the FIFA Executive Committee is that Europe should host the 2018 version."
Bin Hammam also underlined the AFC's determination to win the rights to the 2022 World Cup following the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea.
"We have four countries who are very capable of hosting the World Cup," added Bin Hammam.
"And hosting the World Cup is the legitimate right of all member associations. Asia will put its best foot forward."
The deadline for bids passed last month and after country inspections begin in August, FIFA will announce the venues for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals on December 2.
AFC backs Europe for 2018
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good support!