England has been confirmed by Fifa as one of five countries interested in staging the 2019 Women’s World Cup.

World football’s governing body said yesterday that England, France, South Korea, New Zealand and South Africa have all “declared an interest” in hosting the tournament.

If the Football Association is to commit to a firm move to put on the event, it must submit a hosting agreement and signed bidding document by October 31 2014, Fifa said.

Fifa announced in a statement: “Five countries have declared an interest in hosting the Fifa Women’s World Cup 2019, namely England, France, Korea Republic, New Zealand and South Africa.

“Of these countries, England, France, Korea Republic and New Zealand also want to host the Fifa U-20 Women’s World Cup 2018. In principle, Fifa prefers these two tournaments to take place in the same country. South Africa will host the Fifa U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2016.”

England has never hosted the Women’s World Cup, which was first contested in China in 1991. Sweden, the United States on two occasions, China again and Germany have since put on the tournament, which like the men’s World Cup takes place every four years.

Canada is due to host next year’s tournament, with England, now under the leadership of former Bristol Academy boss Mark Sampson, firmly on course for automatic qualification after winning six of six matches so far, scoring 33 goals and conceding none.

Their lastest win was a 4-0 victory over Ukraine on Thursday evening, with Natasha Dowie and Eniola Aluko grabbing a brace each.

With Ukraine being England’s strongest opposition in the group, it should be a relatively easy campaign for the Three Lions with four games remaining.

Fifa also announced that Northern Ireland has declared interest in hosting the 2018 Under-17 World Cup, along with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Finland and Sweden.