ZURICH, Switzerland — FIFA's executive committee postponed until next month a final decision on announcing the 2018 and 2018 World Cup hosts simultaneously after failing to agree on a timetable for the bidding.

FIFA's executive committee agreed in principle Friday to the concept of deciding both hosts at the same time and will try to finalize the plan during the meeting at Tokyo on Dec. 19 and 20.

"Three or four members have asked to postpone the final decision," FIFA president Sepp Blatter said.

South Africa hosts soccer's showcase event in 2010 and Brazil in 2014. The United States, Australia, China, England, Japan, Mexico, Qatar, Russia and Spain are among the possible bidders for 2018 and 2022 along with a joint Belgium-Netherlands application.

After the meeting, Blatter said his organization is not at financial risk due to the world economic crisis.

"For the time being, we have not lost money," Blatter said. "We are well-organized and well-equipped to face up to the present crisis."

FIFA relies on the quadrennial World Cup for 90 percent of its revenue and expects to earn $3.2 billion from television and marketing for the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

Blatter said 95 percent of FIFA's income for the current World Cup cycle is assured from contracts with broadcasters and sponsors. The executive committee approved a recommendation of the finance committee to obtain $650 million in insurance to cover postponement of the next two World Cups due to terrorism, natural disasters, epidemic, war, accidents or turmoil.

In other news:

—FIFA suspended Kuwait and Samoa from international soccer and issued a warning to Peru because of government interference.

—The Nigerian government told FIFA it is "no longer in a position to provide its support" for next year's Under-17 World Cup, scheduled for Oct. 24 to Nov. 15. Chuck Blazer, an executive committee member from North and Central American and the Caribbean, said Mexico could become the host. "They have offered themselves. They have a very good and ready infrastructure," Blazer said.

—The presidents of the six continental confederations will meet in the next seven weeks to discuss the men's Olympic tournament, The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned FIFA's decision that clubs must release players under 23 to men's Olympic teams.

—U.S. World Cup qualifiers scheduled for June 6 and 10 will be moved up to June 3 and June 6 or 7 because the Americans are in the Confederations Cup in South Africa, which starts June 14.

—FIFA approved a mandatory rest period for players from May 17-23, 2010, ahead of the start of the World Cup on June 11. The only exception will be the European Champions Cup final on May 22.

—Blatter said the fine of about $25,000 imposed on Croatia following racist chants by fans aimed at England forward Emile Heskey during a World Cup qualifier in Zagreb last month was insufficient. Blatter said such incidents should be punished by closing stadiums or deducting points in the standings.