President of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Angel Maria Villar said Friday that Spain is aiming to prepare a bid to host the 2018 World Cup finals.

Spain last hosted the World Cup in 1982, but with morale in the country sky high following their success in this summer's European Championships, Villar believes now is a good time to make a bid.

The 2010 World Cup will be held in South Africa, and with Brazil selected to be the host for the 2014 event, Spain is looking ahead to 2018.

Spain may look to co-host the World Cup with their Iberian neighbors Portugal, Villar told Madrid-based Radio Marca.

"There is a chance that we present ourselves as candidates after Brazil. We could do so with Portugal, but nothing has been decided regarding the question," he said, before commenting on Spain's prospects on the pitch for 2010.

"I think that we can allow ourselves to think that we can be world champions. I think it is an extraordinary challenge and if we compete, we can repeat what we have done in Europe," he added.

Source:Xinhua