MEXICO CITY — Mexico is withdrawing its bid to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022, leaving the United States as the lone contender from the Americas.

"The short-term prospects do not permit officials of the Mexican Football Federation, nor local or federal officials, to finance public works at the level this event requires," the governing body said Tuesday in a statement on its Web site.

Mexico hosted the World Cup in 1970 and 1986.

Australia, England, Indonesia, Japan, Netherlands-Belgium, Russia, and Spain-Portugal have also bid to host both World Cups, and Qatar and South Korea bid for 2022 only. FIFA's executive committee will vote in December 2010.

England and Spain are viewed as the leading contenders to host in 2018, while the United States is viewed as a top candidate for 2022.

Next year's World Cup will be in South Africa, and the 2014 host is Brazil.