Italy is willing to bid for the 2012 European soccer championship depending on government funds for improving stadiums.
"Candidacy must be presented by November 2005 and the Italian soccer federation is willing to do it," federation president Franco Carraro told the Italian agency Apcom after Thursday's federal council meeting.
"However it does not depend from us but from the state ( government)."
Carraro said government money was needed to improve stadiums and possibly build new ones, in line with UEFA requirements.
The 2012 championship might be held one year earlier since UEFA was considering the possibility of holding the competition in odd- numbered years.
Italy hosted the European championship in 1968 and 1980.
Portugal held this year's event and the 2008 tournament will be in Austria and Switzerland.