AN INDEPENDENT report on Australia's 2018 FIFA World Cup bid has delivered a thumbs up on the economic impact hosting the tournament would have on the country.

An impact analysis study by Pricewaterhouse Coopers suggests that the 2018 World Cup would deliver a $5.4 billion bonus to the Australian economy, according to figures seen by The Sun-Herald.

It is understood the PwC study is with the Department of Treasury, which is considering the Federal Government's position on participation in a bid.

While the Federal Government ponders the depth of its role in bringing the tournament to Australia, the Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson, is also understood to strongly support the bid and is keen to announce a formal declaration of intent by both the Government and Football Federation Australia.

"The Minister understands more than most that just bidding for the World Cup will benefit Australia and the Australian tourism industry," a source with inside knowledge of the bid said.

FFA boss Ben Buckley spoke at the Leaders in Football conference in London last week and received positive feedback from international delegates about Australia's chances of landing the World Cup ahead of a powerful bid from England.

Buckley delivered a presentation to the conference on the A-League, football's rise in Australia and plans for 2018. FFA remains confident a bid for the 2018 World Cup is a serious proposition and not just a dress rehearsal for a potentially more realistic tilt at 2022 - even with England and Russia lining up as rivals.

Working against Australia's campaign is that 2018 would be the third consecutive World Cup to be held in the southern hemisphere after South Africa in 2010 and Brazil in 2014, a run of events that does not impress football's international powerbrokers in Europe.

However, as England assembles a strong team of advisers, including well-connected former FIFA heavyweights, the country's bid may be undone by what should be one of its strongest selling points.

Premier League clubs are believed to be underwhelmed by proposals for the England Football Association, an independent body from the top league, to become the official regulatory body for the sport in that country.

The Premier League is expected to resist the move and several top clubs considered paramount in winning international votes for a 2018 World Cup in England, are also reluctant to use their international influence without reward.