UNITED STATES: Pros:The 1994 World Cup still holds the record for the number of tickets sold (3.59 million) and expansion of some of the venues would mean that number would increase.

There has also been a growth in interest from TV companies there of late with South Africa getting far more coverage than previous World Cups.

Cons: Fact event was there is 1994 will not help.

Prospects: Pretty decent. The split in the Asian vote should position it well early on.

Betting: 7/2.

* Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.

AUSTRALIA

Pros: Runs good tournaments, has decent base in terms of facilities and a sports mad population.

Cons: Small population leaves limited scope for growth of game and, as their bid would technically count as Asian now, it would prohibit a bigger nation, particularly China, from hosting in the near future.

Prospects: Decent as support from allies abroad, especially voters linked to Russia this time around, should get it safely to the latter stages.

Betting: 7 to 4

JAPAN

Pros: Acquitted itself well in 2002 when the tournament helped to give the game there a major boost. Still has great growth potential, though, and lots of commercial possibilities.

Cons: Staged the event very recently.

Prospects: Modest enough. Strong technical case is unlikely to persuade Fifa it deserves to jump the queue.

Betting: 25/1.

SOUTH KOREA

Pros :See Japan . Cons: See Japan

Prospects and betting:See Japan.

QATAR

Pros:Willingness to throw the financial equivalent of the kitchen sink at it. Lots of new, air conditioned, stadiums and just about everything else promised. Fifa gets to go to the Middle East.

Cons:A very small population and a player base so small – just 18,000 – that it seems slightly ridiculous to even talk about growth potential. Also a tad on the warm side – upwards of 40 degrees in June and July.

Prospects: The bookies' favourites and ties to Iberian bid for 2018 will help but poor technical assessment would normally make them a long shot.