MEXICO CITY – Mexico withdrew 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.

“Private and public investment is needed that today is impossible to deliver,” federation general secretary Decio de Maria said. “New stadiums require an important investment that’s not now available.”

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.