David Beckham To Salvage England 2018 Bid

The most iconic footballer of his generation will be the man to bring the 2018 World Cup to England, according to FA chairman Lord Triesman.

With the bid yet to have got above first gear, Triesman will turn to David Beckham, with the bid team prepared to pay £50,000 to get the global phenomenon to Cape Town two days before the World Cup draw on December 4.

That way, the FA will be able to introduce Beckham to all the influential people involved in deciding where the 2018 event will be held, and they hope the ex-England skipper's charm will gain them an advantage.

"We have committed ourselves not just to ensuring he gets there for the full time slot but also that we can look after his security and arrangements," said Triesman.

"It is not a question of luxury, just a reflection of the personality that he is."

There had been some dissent at the amount of cash required to get Beckham from Gelsenkirchen - where he will play an exhibition match for LA Galaxy against Schalke - to South Africa on a charter flight.

However Triesman says Beckham is worth the cost.

"The person most people have said they want to meet is David Beckham."

"He is working with us and will continue to do that on a number of specific things.

"We will use him as much as possible because he is such a fantastic ambassador. England runs right through the guy's bone marrow.

"He loves the sport. He loves the idea England can win this and he believes we can win.

"We cannot forget he is still playing but he is willing to be as generous with his time as his commitments allow.

"He is very patriotic and we will get a big input from him."

Andrew Southwick