Buoyed by their success in the World Cup in 2010, Spain is ready to push for co-hosting the 2018 tourney with neighboring Portugal, Secretary of State for Sports Jaime Lissavetsky said Tuesday.

In an address to the Spanish Football Federation's (RFEF) general assembly meeting, Lissavetsky said, "Spain's next challenge is to organise the 2018 World Cup."

Spain and Portugal hope to pool their resources -- as Japan and South Korea did in 2002 -- for 2018 after Brazil hosts the next edition in 2014.

Belgium and the Netherlands are also devising a joint 2018 bid and other applicants include England, the United States and Russia with Australia now centralizing its eyes on 2022 after initially showing interest in 2018.

FIFA is to elect the winning bid on December 2 at an assembly of its executive committee.

RFEF chairman Angel Maria Villar stated that "Spain and Portugal are in the race" for 2018, but admitted that it would likely prove difficult to see off the opposition -- Spain hosted the event as recently as 1982. But he stressed that in the event of failure there would be a renewed bid for 2022.

FIFA's inspection group begun Monday considering the bidders' dossiers, starting off with Japan, a candidate for 2022.