The FA are to choose around 10 English stadia to host the 2018 World Cup bid

The Football Association will hold a 'beauty pageant' for cities who want to be considered as host venues for the 2018 World Cup bid.

The FA is looking at around 10 stadia to be earmarked for the finals and want individual cities to put forward bids to be included.

They are also keen for a wide a geographical spread as possible and new stadiums planned by Portsmouth and Bristol City - cities overlooked in the 1966 World Cup and Euro 96 - are early contenders.

So far, only Wembley is a definite venue for 2018 if England win the right to be tournament hosts.

FA officials have already been in contact with some interested clubs to inform them what would be required in terms of space around stadia and organisational demands.

Meanwhile, it is understood FA chiefs will seek talks with the Government over crowd control at major events after the clashes between Rangers fans and riot police in Manchester on Wednesday night.

The FA do not believe the violence will have had an impact on their bid but feel there needs to be a closer look at issues such as all-day drinking by fans before an evening kick-off.

The bid for 2018 will start in earnest later this year after a chairman and chief executive are appointed to run the campaign, with the FA setting a deadline of October for this to have taken place.

Head-hunters will be appointed to find likely candidates and ideally the person who becomes chairman will be high-profile and have some link to football.

There are few people who would fulfil all criteria, but Gary Lineker would be the leading ex-player, while from club administration names such as Peter Kenyon, Rick Parry, David Dein and David Gill are likely to be highlighted by head-hunters.