England could host the 2022 World Cup if asked by Fifa in the the wake of corruption allegations, a Cabinet minister has said.
Culture Secretary John Whittingdale said England had the stadiums to hold it first World Cup since 1966 if Qatar is stripped of the tournament.
Speaking in the House of Commons, the minister pointed to the impressive, if unsuccessful, bid to host the 2018 World Cup, which was awarded to Russia.
However, few expect a European nation to be awarded the 2022 edition if allegations that the Qatar tournament bid process was corrupt are found to be true.
FA chairman Greg Dyke has said he thinks the US and Australia would be the strongest contenders in the event of having to find an alternative host.
Culture Secretary John Whittingdale: "If Fifa came forward and asked us to consider hosting it, we have the facilities in this country."
During culture questions in the Commons, Mr Whittingdale said: "In terms of the decision to hold the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, that is obviously something which we are watching the investigation, but at the moment that decision stands.
"If it were decided to change that, I think as the chairman of the English FA observed, if Russia hosts the World Cup in 2018 it does seem very unlikely that another European country would host it in 2022.
"But obviously if Fifa came forward and asked us to consider hosting it, we have the facilities in this country and of course we did mount a very impressive, if unsuccessful bid to host the 2018 World Cup."