Prime Minister Gordon Brown has thrown his support behind England's bid to stage the 2018 World Cup and believes there is worldwide backing for the project.

England are bidding to host the finals for only the second time and face stiff competition from the likes of Russia, the United States and Australia.

England last hosted, and won, the tournament in 1966 and Brown, a Scotsman, believes it is time the showpiece returned.

"It's a great idea," Brown told Sky Sports News on Friday. "It would be great for football, great for sport and great for our country.

"We published a study showing all the benefits that would come. It would go to every region because you would have some of the World Cup matches in all the different parts of the country, so it has great benefits.

"I think we've got a lot of support. I think it's the right time as it will have been 52 years when 2018 comes around.

"I think there's increasing support around the world that the home of football should have the World Cup soon, and that should be 2018."

Earlier this week FIFA vice-president Jack Warner said he supported England's bid.