MOSCOW, March 17 (RIA Novosti) - FIFA confirmed on Tuesday that Russia was among 13 countries, including two joint bids, that submitted applications to host either the 2018 or 2022 World Cups.

Australia, Belgium and the Netherlands, England, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Spain and Portugal, and the United States have submitted bids for both competitions, while South Korea and Qatar have submitted bids for the 2022 World Cup, FIFA said on its official website.

"We are very pleased about the fantastic level of interest in our flagship competition, with all initial bidders confirming their candidature. The diversity and quality of the contenders will make this a very interesting selection process," FIFA President Sepp Blatter said

The 2010 World Cup will be held in South Africa, with Brazil hosting the tournament four years later. The host countries of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will be announced in December 2010.