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FIFA have dealt a blow to England's hopes of staging the 2030 World Cup after president Gianni Infantino revealed the tournament could be held in more than one continent.

The competition will mark the 100th anniversary of the World Cup, following it's inauguration in 1930, and FIFA are making radical plans for its structure.

Mexico and the USA are set to share hosting responsibilities for 2026, and Infantino admitted the following edition of the tournament could span larger distances.

"I respect the will of the people. If the will of the people will be to change, to be more open, be more inclusive of different parts of the world at the same time maybe we should do it," he said.

(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

"We still have time. The decision for 2030 will be taken in 2024. For me, as FIFA president, the more bidders we have the happier I am.”

As reported by the Telegraph, the FA have the backing of the UK government to launch a bid for the 2030 tournament.

England will be one of the hosts for this summer's Euro 2020 tournament, which is set to take part in a total of 12 countries.

The strategies of FIFA and UEFA have seen tournaments staged further afield in recent years.

(Image: EMPICS Sport)

Qatar is due to host the World Cup for the first time in 2022, and FIFA have grander plans for the development of the global game.

The Club World Cup is set to be revamped with a 24-team competition starting in the summer of 2021.

FIFA is also investigating the prospect of holding a version of the same tournament for the women's game, as well as considering the idea of the women's international World Cup being every two years.

Such plans are likely to irk club bosses, particularly in the men's game, who have already voiced concerns about the hectic fixture schedule and demand on their players.

But Infantino is keen to produce a calendar which incorporates plenty of room for varying commitments across domestic, continental and international levels.

“We are not on a business of first come first served,” he said. “There are world clubs - they have a fan base around the world. There is a demand.”