The FA has set up a company, England 2018 Limited, to coordinate the bid, and Triesman will be chair with support from deputy chairmen Lord Mawhinney - the chairman of the Football League – and Manchester United chief executive David Gill.

 

Gerry Sutcliffe, the Minister for Sport, represents the Government and Sir Keith, who is now the deputy chairman of London 2012 as well as being on the Board of Premiership club Tottenham Hotspur, is one of three non-executive directors.

 

The others are Valerie Amos and Sir Martin Sorrell.

 

Baroness Amos has served as chief executive of the Equal Opportunities Commission, Leader of the House of Lords and Secretary of State for International Development but admits she knows little about football.

 

Sir Martin is chief executive of WPP, the world's largest advertising and marketing services group.

 

The Prime Minister’s ambassador, Richard Caborn, the Sports Minister during London's Olympic bid, will provide support for the new Board but does not have a vote.

 

In addition to the recruitment of chief executive and chief operating officer, a number of senior management posts have been advertised nationally.

 

In the interim, former FA director of corporate affairs Simon Johnson is acting chief operating Officer.

 

Triesman said: "I am delighted we have established an outstanding team of board members who are committed to bringing the World Cup Finals back to England.

 

"Within this group, there is a wealth of experience that will be integral to the formulation of a successful bid."

 

Triesman was cautious about the bid's chances of success.

 

He said: "England has to earn the right to stage the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

 

"Over the coming months, we will have to show we can do so to the highest standards and with the right values.

 

"People around the world football family will have views about what produces a great World Cup and we will be listening and learning.

 

"If we have the honour of succeeding it will be because we earned the right from the members of our international family."

 

England last hosted the World Cup in 1966.

 

After staging the European Championships in 1996, it launched an unsuccessful bid to host the 2006 World Cup, which was held in Germany.

 

Triesman said: "I am confident this team will put together a bid which exceeds FIFA's requirements and expectations by making the best possible case for a World Cup in England.

"We also want to show that a World Cup on these shores will benefit the development of football around the world and create positive change.

“The creation of this team puts us in an excellent position to develop further these objectives when FIFA outlines its requirements later this month.”

If, as expected, FIFA award the event to Europe for the first time since Germany staged it then England's closest rivals are expected to be Russia although there are also expected to be joint bids from Holland and Belgium and Portugal and Spain.