England may have qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa but its location is still more than 6,000 miles away – so do your bit to bring the 2018 tournament to Bristol and England.

It is going to be a long and exciting run-up to England's trip down South next summer as Fabio Capello firms up his squad to try and lift the trophy for the first time since 1966.

For Bristol though, selection issues for 2018 are far more immediate.

The return of domestic league football last Saturday, three days after England booked their place in South Africa with a 5-1 demolition of Croatia, saw the scrutiny begin on any player vaguely in with a chance of international honours come next June.

A striker has an off-day and his 'World Cup credentials could have been dented', a goalkeeper plays a blinder and 'he could be pushing for a seat on the plane'.

Bristol is in with a strong chance of becoming a host venue for the most watched event in the world in 2018, with anything up to five World Cup matches being played here at the new "Bristol Stadium" (as it will be branded by FIFA) which is currently subject to planning permission.

And like the players in the Premier League, Bristol is currently subject to constant scrutiny.

The England 2018 World Cup bid team are looking for the best 12 venues to give England the greatest possible chance of hosting the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.

Their timetable is tighter than Capello's, with a decision due in December on which cities have made the grade and will be part of the bid. Final bid documents must be submitted to them on November 6.

The England 2018 team have paid their final visit to see first hand the training venues and transport capabilities of Bristol, the scenery of the city and its potential to stage the Fan Fests and festivities which accompany the tournament and transform each venue.

Now it is down to you to show your support through each of the Bristol 2018 team's initiatives to convince the FA not to ignore the West Country and the sixth biggest city in England.

A giant football has been touring the city gathering signatures, you can now text "Bristol" to the FA via 62018 to log your support, follow Bristol bid updates on Twitter and join groups on Facebook.

And fans are signing up in their droves to ensure this city's bid is one of the most prominent put forward.

"The Bristol bid team is wanting to use all types of new media to harness the support for the bid," said Ruth Wilmshurst, marketing and communications manager for Bristol City Council and part of the Bristol 2018 bid team.

"We are now also refining the final bid document following comments on the day (from the England 2018 team visit) and will be taking on board the report when we get it to make sure we submit the strongest bid possible."

The Facebook group 'Bring the World Cup to Bristol 2018' has more than doubled its membership since featuring in the Evening Post last week and has broken the 5,000-member barrier to ensure Bristol is one of the best-supported potential venues.

To reward those who have signed up the Bristol bid team will be releasing a new animated film exclusively on the Facebook group's page.

The film has only been seen by the visiting England 2018 delegates who were in the city last Thursday and will make its first public screening on the group's page shortly.