ORGANISATIONS from across Bristol - including Bristol City Council and Bristol City Football Club - attended a launch event at Wembley today as part of England’s World Cup bid drive in 2018 or 2022.

The bid team want to identify the host cities that can form part of their final bid to FIFA in 2010.

If successful, Bristol could host four or five games, including a quarter-final. Based on the impact of international matches on host cities elsewhere in Europe, the overall economic benefits to Bristol could be as much as £100 million.

With as many as 15-20 cities bidding to be involved, Bristol faces strong competition but it has a strong case, with plans for a new 42,000-seater regional stadium fitting strict criteria laid down by FIFA.

Subject to securing planning permission later this year, a new stadium would be the centrepiece of any bid from Bristol to be a host city which would also need to meet FIFA's requirements on accommodation, security and transport.

Bristol's experience of hosting rugby and cricket world cup matches will also boost its chances, as well as the experience gained from hosting the successful UK School Games last year.

And with the nation’s bid focusing only on venues in England, Cardiff's Millennium Stadium will not be included putting Bristol in a stronger position to represent the South West.

FIFA will decide on the host countries for 2018 and 2022 World Cups in December 2010.

Should Bristol be part of a successful England bid, the city would have seven to 11 years to make the most of the potential economic benefits, including the possibility of attracting millions of pounds for investment in transport infrastructure improvements and regeneration.

Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Christopher Davies, said: "The football World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world and represents a massive, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Bristol and the wider region.

"Should Bristol decide to bid to be a host city, it will require a lot of hard work and substantial investment - but partners across Bristol are committed to working together to make this a reality.

"The potential economic benefits could total £100 million, but the international exposure will be worth many times more than that.

"If Bristol takes maximum advantage of the tourism marketing opportunity during the World Cup, then return visits could boost the tourism economy by an equivalent amount in future years.

"Hosting World Cup finals matches will be an massive celebration of everything that makes Bristol such an innovative, creative, diverse and culturally-rich city - an opportunity for Bristol to establish its reputation as a truly international city."

The last World Cup held in Germany attracted more than one million visitors to the country - compared to the 110,000 extra visitors generated by the Sydney Olympic Games of 1996.

More than 20 million people went to especially-built World Cup Fan Parks across the 12 host cities - and hundreds of thousands would be likely to join similar Fan Park celebrations in Bristol should it become a host city.