Albion striker Peter Odemwingie today claimed both England and Russia have strong cases to win the 2018 World Cup race as the FIFA vote looms.

Football’s world governing body will vote on Thursday to decide the hosts for the 2018 tournament with England and Russia both in the running, although the joint-bid from Spain and Portugal has emerged as the new favourite.

Odemwingie was brought up in Russia and remains fond of his mother’s homeland despite problems with racist abuse during to career with Lokomotiv Moscow.

But he has quickly fallen in love with English football since his move to the Baggies and has an open mind over the countries’ merits.

The Nigeria international believes the passion of English fans is the main weapon in the bid team’s arsenal.

He said: “England is England and they don’t need any publicity because everybody knows it’s one of the best places in the world to play because of the way people love football here.

“They have all the facilities and the atmosphere, the mutual respect that teams and supporters have for each other.

“It shows the level of society and it’s obvious that it’s one of the best places to play football.

“But if the World Cup is here it would be a big thing and every player who never played in the Premier League or English stadia would only be positive if he heard the World Cup was being held in England.

“What I have found is that the atmosphere does add something to my performance because at the end of the games I feel I am not that tired as I might have been before.

“The tempo is high but you get carried away with the fast football and sometimes you don’t feel as fatigued as you used to.

“The reaction from the public for every action gives you some kind of energy.

“It is hard work but when you are having fun and enjoying yourself it makes the difference.”

However, Odemwingie has a soft spot for Russia, where he spent much of his childhood, despite his clash with the Lokomotiv fans.

And he believes staging a World Cup could do wonders for the country.

“There was never a World Cup in South Africa and that went well and I am not here to say anything against Russia,” he said.

“It is a difficult question for me and maybe there will be regrets if Russia don’t get it because maybe it is something they really need if we are talking about the world progressing.

“If we want things to change in Russia maybe they need the World Cup so I cannot really say anything.

“I just have to look on because there are people deciding on it who have much more information than me.

“Just because I had a few issues I am not going to condemn that bid.

“I am just one person and you have a whole federation, FIFA, and lots of politics that will decide it.

“They are definitely more informed than we are so I can’t say too much more.”