John Barnes - File

Current and former England internationals David Beckham and John Barnes, who will become head coach of Jamaica's Reggae Boyz next month, have been appointed vice-presidents for England's 2018 World Cup bid.

The pair will support the newly-formed executive board along with further vice-presidents soon to be announced and their appointments reflect an initial wave of ambassadorial roles as England 2018 Ltd. continues to prepare its bid to stage the tournament in 10 years' time.

"I'm proud to be part of the FA's 2018 World Cup bid and will do everything I can to help bring the tournament to England,'' Beckham told thefa.com.

"I was able to play my part in the successful London 2012 Olympic bid and throughout my career have witnessed the difference sport makes to peoples lives, all over the world.''

Huge responsibility

Barnes added: "There's a huge responsibility attached to being involved but there's also a feeling of great honour and I'm immensely proud to be part of it.

"There's a lot of work to do if England is to win the right to stage the tournament.''

- Reprinted from the website soccernet.espn.go.com.