The Princes are keen sportsmen

They are preparing a dossier of the safety implications of the trip, FA sources are said to have revealed.

The issues they are looking into include venues for the princes' stay and any potential threats from terrorist attacks.

An FA source told the newspaper: "We have been told to cater for all eventualities and that includes a visit by the princes.

"Both lads, particularly William, are massively popular in the Far East where they are treated like pop stars - that alone creates a security headache.

"The logistics of a visit are mind-boggling because it is not simply a case of arriving, watching a game and going.

"The boys are ambassadors for the Royal Family and have also got to meet some diplomats out there."

Other logistics of the trip include taking time away from their studies - William is at St Andrew's University and Harry at Eton.

As president of the FA Prince Andrew will attend the World Cup

Prince William could catch up on his studies in his own time, while Prince Harry is reported to have a half-term break in the first week of June.

They are also due to be in Britain for the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations.

But they will be keen to meet all their obligations and fit in a visit to the World Cup - they travelled with their father to watch England play Colombia in Lens in the 1998 competition.

That decision defied advice from both the Royal protection Squad and the FA's own security department due to the high risk of hooliganism because it was the closest venue to Britain.

Security chiefs are said to have learned valuable lessons from the experience and intend to keep these in mind for any similar trips to this year's World Cup.

The princes are renowned for their love of sport and William is an Aston Villa fan, and has been spied on occasion at Villa Park.

The princes' uncle, the Duke of York, will definitely be attending the World Cup finals and is due to fly into the opening ceremony before travelling on to watch England take on Sweden.

A St James' Palace spokesman declined to comment on the newspaper report.