Dein: England poised to pull out of 2022 race

Such a move would formalise the continental and political groupings to stage the two World Cups with the battle for 2018 being fought out between European countries and 2022 a contest between the United States and four rival Asian bidders.

At present, England, Russia, the United States and joint bids from Spain/Portugal and Netherlands/Belgium are bidding for 2018 - but they are also, technically at least, in the race for 2022.

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