NEW YORK, USA (CMC) – CONCACAF on Monday threw its support behind the powerhouses United States in their bid to host the FIFA World Cup in either 2018 or 2022.

“The United States can count on the full support of CONCACAF, including Chuck Blazer, Rafael Salgueiro and myself,” said CONCACAF president and FIFA vice-president Jack Warner on Monday.

With Warner, Blazer and Salgueiro all holding votes on the FIFA executive committee, the US bid has taken a major step toward securing one of the two World Cups.

The 24-member FIFA Executive Committee will decide the venues for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup in December 2010.

Australia, England, Indonesia, Japan, Netherlands-Belgium, Russia, and Spain-Portugal have also bid to host both World Cups. Qatar and South Korea have bid for 2022 only.

England and Spain are viewed as the leading contenders to host the 2018 showpiece, while the United States are viewed among the top candidates for 2022.

Five-time champions Brazil are set to host the 2014 World Cup.