20 Oct 2008Beckham and Barnes join World Cup bid

Football Leagues/ Association and Governance

David Beckham and John Barnes have been added to the team charged with bringing the World Cup back to England in 2018.

Both Beckham and Barnes have been named as vice-presidents to the executive board of England 2018, the company formed to manage the bid.

Further vice-presidents are expected to be unveiled in the near future as preparations build for the final Fifa vote, to be held in 2011, which will decide the host nation for the 2018 World Cup.

According to former England winger Barnes, who was recently appointed manager of the Jamaica national side, he and Beckham will be responsible for different geographical areas.

"I will be used to enhance the profile of the bid in the Caribbean and Africa, and David Beckham will be used in the Far East," he said in an interview with BBC Radio Five Live.

Prince William, the president of the Football Association, has also offered his full support to the bid.

Beckham's appearance against Belarus last week moved him just one behind the 108 caps earned by Sir Bobby Charlton, who is England's most experienced outfield player.

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