Liverpool is aiming to become an official "host city" as part of the English bid to land the World Cup in 2018 or 2022.
Council leader Warren Bradley registered the city's interest in staging games in Liverpool as part of the Football Association's formal bid.
Other nations that have expressed interest in hosting world football’s showpiece event in 2018 or 2022 are Australia, Belgium-Netherlands, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Portugal-Spain, Russia, USA, Qatar and South Korea.
Andy Anson, Chief Executive to the FA bid project, said: "This is the most competitive bid there has ever been.
"FIFA have done away with the rotation policy of different continents so we have impressive rivals from all around the world.
"We have to be aware that we have no special right to stage the World Cup and we will have to earn it.
"We will be looking to build on the passion evident in football all around the country as we have people playing football everywhere and fans filling stadiums every week throughout the Premier League and Football League.
"Our stadiums are excellent and in Wembley we have an iconic venue. We also have to stress how we can help develop football around the world."
Everton and Liverpool Football Clubs joined Cllr Bradley at the official bid launch event at Wembley Stadium.
The team from the city is urging all residents to sign a "petition" to pledge their support to the FA's bid, and they are hopeful in securing 2 million signatures.
Warren Bradley said, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the football clubs and the city. The FA is committed in ensuring the bid document recognises how important our cities are, and are urging all people from every walk of life to support the bid."
Liverpool will have to provide and infrastructure that is world class, some of the asks of the FA are:
* World Class Stadia
* 21st Century Team Bases
* Transport Hubs
* Fan Parks
* Grass roots participation
Both the City Council and the football clubs recognise the challenging timescales that they have to meet, and will do all in their power to ensure that a robust, deliverable bid is submitted. The timescale of events is as follows:
* December 2009 - host city bids submitted and selected
* May 2010 - English FA bid submitted to FIFA
* May to Dec 2010 - Technical Assesments by FIFA on all bidding nations
* December 2010 - Decision by FIFA
Cllr Bradley will bring together the football clubs, the police, the NWDA and other partners in the next week to outline what is required of each partner over the next period.
Warren Bradley added: "Time is of the essence. All partners must be willing to go the extra mile to ensure Liverpool is identified as a host city in the FA's final bid document.
"The city is steeped in football history, with Everton and Liverpool again this season proving how consistent they have become, whilst playing at the highest level.
"It is incumbent upon us all, for football supporters of all generations, to ensure that World Cup football is played in the home of domestic football - The City of Liverpool."
The FA petition web site is at http://www.england2018bid.com/
FIFA will confirm the hosts of both World Cups in December 2010.
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