MOSCOW — Russia has submitted a bid to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022.

Russian Football Union spokesman Andrei Malasolov said Russia's application to FIFA, world soccer's governing body, was made on Friday.

Malasolov told the Associated Press both dates were distant enough "to allow a complete and thorough preparation."

In February, FIFA received 11 preliminary bids to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, including from the United States and England.

The deadline for bids is March 16.

South Africa will host the event in 2010 and Brazil has it in 2014. FIFA is set to announce the host nations for both 2018 and 2022 in December 2010.