World Cup matches could be played at Bristol City's new stadium

The World Cup – one of the largest sporting events on earth – could come to Bristol.

If Bristol City goes ahead with plans for a new stadium with a capacity of up to 42,000, the football authorities could consider it as a possible host ground.

A formal application to the Football Association – which hopes to bring the World Cup to England in 2018 – would have to be made by Bristol City Council, not the club.

But the council's Labour leadership says it will be "ready to rise to the challenge".

The Bristol Evening Post understands that talks have already been held between the council and the FA.

Council leader Helen Holland said: "I am very excited by the opportunity a successful English FA bid for the 2018 World Cup could bring to our city.

"A new football stadium is key to any bid and the city council will be ready to rise to the challenge that Bristol City FC's proposals could provide.

"We recognise that securing host city status will be a tough battle and that we'll be pitching against other major English cities – but it's a prize well worth the effort.

"After all, the World Cup is the largest spectator event on earth, bigger even than the Olympics.

"It would provide a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase Bristol to the world."

Ms Holland said she supported the general idea of a new stadium which could host World Cup matches. However she stressed she was not commenting on any site proposals and did not want her remarks to be seen as potentially prejudicing the planning process.

Bristol City is currently consulting with the public about its plans for a 30,000-seater ground – perhaps with a 12,000-seat extension – on a site at Ashton Vale.

It would be close to the David Lloyd Tennis Centre and the park-and-ride site. The size of the new venue – larger than the 20,000- seat Ashton Gate – would make it the biggest in the South West.

The extension facility would push it over the threshold for holding World Cup games.

An FA spokesman told the Post: "The current threshold for stadium capacity is 40,000."

Artist's impressions are not yet available, but chairman Steve Lansdown has said he particularly liked the four-year-old, 32,000-seater Ricoh Arena at Coventry City.

This is described as a "bowl" shape, but some Bristol City fans say they would prefer a traditional, four-sided stadium.

Miles Hendy, of the Supporters' Trust, said a survey of 3,000 fans showed overwhelming support for a new stadium. But he said they did not want a "soul-less bowl".

The Championship club says it hopes to submit a planning application early next year. The aim would be to have the project complete for the 2012-13 football season.