The FIFA President will extend the invitation during a meeting with Obama at the White House.

 

 

Blatter said: "I know there are people around the President who are football fans, and that they will make everything possible in his agenda that the president be at the opening of the World Cup or the final."

 

The FIFA delegation will be composed by Blatter, FIFA vice-president Jack Warner and FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke, and will also include US Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati.

Blatter plans to discuss the state of US football with the Obama, including the US bids to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.

 

Earlier this year Obama wrote to Blatter to personally back the US bid to host the World Cup again.

 

Europe, led by England, are considered to be the favourites to host the 2018 World Cup but the US are among the leading contenders for 2022, which will be awarded by FIFA at the same meeting in December 2010.

 

Blatter, who attended the Gold Cup final between the US and Mexico at a sold-out Giants Stadium on yesterday, claimed that it will help countries to plan better.

 

He said: "One big reason is it gives the local organising committee more time for the preparation of the tournament.

 

"Also, looking at who would be interested in 2018, there were 10 [bidders] indicating they would like to have it.

 

"We can not go 10 for one, so we said, 'Let's go for two World Cups.'

 

"It's also very important for our partners - economic and television - and for FIFA to know where we will go.

 

"The interest is so huge in having the World Cup."