David Beckham, star of such teams as Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan, and the Los Angeles Galaxy, is vying for his greatest victory – as ambassador for England to host the World Cup. "To bring the World Cup to England would be up there with one of the best things I have ever done in my career," he says.
Mr. Beckham has been lobbying top FIFA officials in recent hours, along with Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince William, to get the 22 members' support.
England, as well as well as joint applicants Netherlands and Belgium and Spain and Portugal, may have received a boost after rival contender Russia's hopes were diminished by Russia Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's decision to skip the announcement because of suspicions of corrupt voting practices.
British journalists exposed corrupt practices among FIFA officials, including bribe-taking – which also caused concern that the media coverage might hurt England's chances.
