The tournament is expected to return to Europe in 2018 and Russia is one of four candidates from the continent who are bidding.

 

 

The others are England and there are joint bids from Spain and Portugal and Holland and Belgium.

 

Russian FA general secretary Alexei Sorokin said: "We are very pleased to have Helios working on behalf of Russia once again.

 

“Helios is the perfect coach for our team; their skills and experience are an ideal fit and they will undoubtedly give us the best chance to secure the privilege of hosting the FIFA World Cup."

 

Helios has worked on a number of high-profile bids, including the 2008 Beijing and 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

 

But their most stunning success was lying the groundwork for Sochi's bid to host the 2014 Olympics to be successful.

 

The Russain city on the coast of the Black Sea was considered the outsider but upset the odds to win the Games.

 

Helios have now been been hired by the Russian Football Association to compile the bid book to be sent to world governing body FIFA by next May.

 

This must outline things like venue, transport infrastructure, technical management and marketing plans.

 

Terrence Burns, the President of Helios Partners, said: “This is an opportunity for us to again help bring Russia to the forefront of international sport.

 

“Russia would be an historic choice for FIFA’s World Cup because of its ancient and recent history combined its current status as a new nation looking forward, its unique mix of geography and cultures combining as the meeting place of east and west, and the opportunity to use the FIFA World Cup as a means to enhance Russia’s social, economic and sports infrastructure.”

 

Besides the European contenders, there are a number of other bidders for 2018 and 2022.

 

Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico and the United States are bidding for both 2018 and 2022 while Qatar and South Korea is campaigning for only 2022.