However, Blatter emphasised that any successful nation would have to meet all the conditions laid down by FIFA for hosting the tournament - listing stadium facilities, transportation, telecommunications, security and hotels - and only then could an African nation be considered.
Blatter, 62, making his second visit to England in a month, said at a news conference after meeting British prime minister Tony Blair at Downing Street: "Nothing has changed since I first became FIFA president in June. I think that after the United States in 1994, France in 1998 and Asia in 2002, the logical choice for the 2006 World Cup should be Africa.
"But I know we will get a very strong, professional bid from England, and it is not just me that makes the decision but the 24 members of the FIFA Executive."
Blatter also said that the "hooligan elements" that attach themselves to the English team would not damage England's hopes. This was a view welcomed by British Sports Minister Tony Banks, who said that the Prime Minister had re-assured Mr Blatter legislation would soon be in place closing loop-holes that allow known hooligans to follow England to matches around Europe.
England's campaign to stage the World Cup for the first time since 1966 gained a boost earlier this month when FIFA brought forward the deadline for bids to be submitted from September 1999 to July 1999 - which could put extra pressure on some of the other contenders.
Blatter confirmed that he expected bids from England, Germany, South Africa, Nigeria, Morocco, Egypt and Brazil.
Alec McGivan, the director of the English campaign said on Monday: "If you take South Africa as our strongest opponents, there are a lot of conditions to be met and the big question is, will South Africa meet those conditions in time ?
"The final bids must go in by next July and I imagine South Africa has got a lot of work to do to meet those conditions. That is an issue and a problem for them.
"We were at pains today to make it clear to the president of FIFA that we are ready. We talked about the building of the new Wembley but that is the last piece of our jigsaw and everything else is in place for us to stage a great World Cup and I think the FIFA president has recognised the strength of our position.
"I have no doubt at all that we are the strongest candidate in what we can offer FIFA.
"Mr Blatter said to the Prime Minister today that what matters is that FIFA has the best possible facilities for the World Cup and I really don't think that we have anything to fear from the opposition on that score."
FIFA inspection teams will visit the contenders next year and a final decision will be made in March 2000.
Reuters
