Brand Beckham to save 2018 World Cup bid

David Beckham will ‘do what he can’ to help promote England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup after he was made an ambassador for the cause.

The football icon has confirmed that he will attend the World Cup draw on December 4, where his presence alone could give a significant boost to the bid that FIFA vice-president Jack Warner branded as “lightweight” just days ago.

Warner’s comments fuelled speculation suggesting that England’s bid may be falling behind to competition from Spain, Portugal and Russia.

Beckham, who was a prominent figure during London’s successful bid to host the 2012 Olympics, says he is keen to do whatever he can to help the cause, despite his commitments on the pitch.

“If I can fight for the country and help us have a chance of getting this, then I’ll do that,” Beckham said.

“I was honoured to be involved in the Olympic bid and we were successful there. I was asked to be an ambassador of this one. I accepted it and I’m serious about it.

“Obviously I’m still playing and it’s difficult for me to go to different places but, given the Major League Soccer season ends in November, I’ll be in South Africa in December [for the draw]. I’m going there for a few days and will do what I can.”

Beckham’s loan deal which will see him return to AC Milan in January is understood to be almost agreed with the 34-year-old looking to stake his claim for inclusion in Fabio Capello’s squad for South Africa next summer.