Mexico scraps bids to host '18, '22 World Cups

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Mexico withdrew from the running to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup on Tuesday.

The Mexican Football Federation said on its Web site that financing the project would have been difficult, adding there was not enough support from local and federal authorities to fund the infrastructure required by FIFA.

"Private and public investment is needed that, today, is impossible to deliver in the medium term," federation general secretary Decio de Maria said. "New stadiums require an important investment that's not now available."

Mexico had previously hosted the World Cup in 1970 and 1986.

The United States, Australia, England, Japan and Russia, plus joint bids from Belgium-Netherlands and Spain-Portugal, are in the running for both 2018 and 2022. Indonesia, Qatar and South Korea have applied only for the 2022 tournament.

FIFA will vote on both World Cup hosts in December 2010.

England and Spain are viewed as the leading contenders to host in 2018, while the United States is viewed as a top candidate for 2022.

Next year's World Cup will be in South Africa, and the 2014 host is Brazil.