British government and soccer officials are in discussions over bidding for the 2018 World Cup.

Sports Minister Richard Caborn said Saturday that discussions had been held this week between government officials, ministers and UK Sport. The English Football Association had also been consulted.

London is bidding for the 2012 Olympic Games and Caborn said a decision over a World Cup bid would be made after an InternationalOlympic Committee decision on the venue next year.

"We have had discussions this week about whether we should throw our hat into the ring, and talked very seriously about it," Caborn said.

Europe is likely to host the World Cup in 2018, because of the rotational system for choosing host countries employed by soccer world governing body FIFA.

South Africa was last week chosen to host the 2010 Finals, witha South American country likely to host the 2014 edition. South Korea and Japan co-hosted the 2002 event.

"There are tactical points to consider," Caborn said. "We don't want to dilute the potency of our bid for 2012. The outcome of that could have a bearing so we want to wait for the 2012 bid to be resolved before we progress any further."

But John Scott, UK Sport's director of international relations major events, seemed cautious on the idea. If London won the Olympics, it could affect a World Cup bid.

"If we are going to be the Olympic host there is a huge responsibility in terms of test events and that could have an impact on the timing of bidding for other big events," Scott said.

"We need to be absolutely confident we are not over-stretching ourselves financially because these mega events are a big call on the public purse, especially with the increases we are seeing in security costs."

An FA spokesman said hosting a World Cup would be a "brilliant boost" for English soccer.

England bid for the 2006 World Cup but only received two votes and went out in the first round. Germany eventually won the bid.