Obama writes to FIFA in support of US world cup bid

U.S. President Barack Obama has written a letter to FIFA president Sepp Blatter supporting the U.S. bid to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022.

In excerpts released on Tuesday by the U.S. Soccer Federation, Obama writes of the "spirit of unity" from football he has seen as a child and as a father.

FIFA's executive committee will decide the hosts for both tournaments in December 2010. The United States hosted the World Cup for the first time in 1994, and the 52 games drew records for total attendance (3.59 million) and average (68,991).

England and the joint Spain-Portugal bid are considered the favorites to host in 2018, with the U.S. seen as a favorite for 2022.

Sapa-AP