Barack Obama's election as US President could derail England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup, according to a "high-placed" Fifa official.
The unnamed source told Yahoo Sports that Obama's popularity will be "a huge factor" in deciding whether the USA is selected to host either the 2018 or 2022 tournaments.
"How can it not make a difference," said the source. "Now when you think of America, you don't think George W Bush or war, you think of this man, Obama, who has made history and given hope to millions. The men who vote on World Cup hosts are not immune to those same feelings. If the US bid stacks up in terms of infrastructure and organisation, then Obama could be a huge factor."
While the FA have confirmed that England will be in the running to host the 2018 tournament, US Soccer is waiting for Fifa to clarify the bidding rules before making an announcement. US Soccer President, Sunil Gulati, has said that the organisation intends to bid "in an aggressive fashion" as soon as Fifa clarify whether nations will be forced to choose which World Cup to bid for, or if they will be allowed to put forward for both 2018 and 2022.
Even if he wins a second term, Obama will no longer be in office by 2018. The winning bid will be determined, however, by a vote in 2011 - before the end of Obama's first term. Fifa president Sepp Blatter is expected to visit Obama at the White House next year.
