Zurich - FIFA has kicked off the two-year-long simultaneous bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

A circular letter was sent out by football's governing body to national associations on Thursday inviting them to express their interest to submit a bid for either or both tournaments.

There are 145 associations eligible to bid for the 2018 event and 198 for 2022. South American countries are excluded from hosting both events as Brazil is due to host the World Cup in 2014, while African nations are prevented from the running for 2018 as South Africa is hosting the 2010 tournament.

Japan has already expressed an interest in hosting the tournament in 2018 or 2022. The process will finish in December 2010, about six months after bidding countries are meant to have submitted detailed bids, when FIFA's Executive Committee will appoint the hosts. (dpa)