Beckham feels momentum shift

David Beckham believes England's 2018 World Cup bid have the momentum behind them to mount a genuine challenge in FIFA's vote on Thursday.

Beckham likened England's late surge to Manchester United's dramatic 1999 Champions League final victory.

The England midfielder said: "You can feel the momentum now. On Tuesday it was a day where we had to explain things and try to find out where everybody's heads and minds were at. (Yesterday) felt as if it had turned, the momentum was right behind us and we have the support of the country and many other countries."

Beckham was playing against Bayern Munich in 1999 when United came from 1-0 down to win 2-1 with extra-time goals from substitutes Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and he sees parallels with the way England have come into contention after being viewed as third in the race only a couple of weeks ago:

Beckham said: "Ole is warming up! I think we are in a strong position."

He, Prince William and Prime Minister David Cameron have spent the last three days lobbying FIFA members, and the impact of the prince has been a star turn.

"To have the future king of England turn round and say 'Have we got your vote?' is kind of a good weapon to have - and he has a wedding coming up," added Beckham.

Beckham also played a leading role in the final lobbying when London won the 2012 Olympics in Singapore five years ago, and he says securing the World Cup would mean as much if not more.

"Getting the Olympics to the East End was a huge thing but to bring the World Cup to your own country as an England player would be very, very special," he said.