Beckham integral part of 2018 World Cup bid team: Lord Triesman

Football Association chairman and England’s 2018 World Cup bid chief Lord Triesman has said that David Beckham has been an integral part in the meetings for the bid.

Triesman and Beckham have held meetings with FIFA president Sepp Blatter and FIFA vice-president Jack Warner in South Africa ahead of tomorrow's World Cup draw.

“We have had some excellent meetings today, including with the FIFA president Sepp Blatter and with FIFA vice-president Jack Warner. David was hugely impressive in those meetings. It is clear that legacy is central to the hopes of FIFA and any successful bid,” The Sun quoted Triesman, as saying.

“This area is one of David's great passions and will be integral to our bid. He is an inspiration to children around the world, which will be seen tomorrow when he visits one of the FA's international development programmes near Cape Town,” he added.

Meanwhile, Beckham said that he was satisfied with the meetings the officials have had till now.

“It was a very relaxed, light-hearted conversation and it was good to speak to him. Blatter is not just the FIFA president and a powerful man in football, but he's a very, very good person as well, which is more important,” Beckham said.

He also mentioned about his previous visits to the country and said: “When I was last here with England I had the honour of meeting Nelson Mandela. That was the highlight of my career. To meet such a great man and a strong man and such a passionate man about sport and life will always stay with me.”