Jack Warner, Fifa's vice-president, is ready to throw his political clout behind England's bid for the 2018 World Cup.

Apparently vindicating the decision to travel to the Caribbean for tonight's friendly with Trinidad and Tobago, the Concacaf president has offered his unequivocal support to the FA's campaign. Although his first preference lies with a USA bid, the 2018 tournament is almost certain to go to a European country, meaning England can count on a powerful ally when Fifa's executive committee votes on the venue.

"England should hold the World Cup - by 2018 it will be 52 years since they have hosted the tournament," Warner said.

"The English league is the most popular, it had the three strongest teams in the Champions League semi-finals.

"The catalyst of my support for England is because I don't believe any country of England's football pedigree should not have had a World Cup for almost 50 years."

"England, a country that invented the sport and with all the facilities England has, has not hosted a World Cup and I think it is wrong. It is against this background that I supported England for 2006. In 2006, when England only had five votes, I gave them three.

"I said to Tony Banks then that they will not win the bid because they didn't have European support. Even now, if England gets support from outside, she still needs at least two or three people in Europe to give support."

With consummate timing, Warner has cited David Beckham, who has been restored to the captaincy for tonight's match in Port of Spain, as the perfect figurehead for the bid.

"You have to make sure you use David Beckham as your ambassador to meet and influence people," Warner said. "Beckham is an icon - there is nobody in the world today to rival him. Let him do for England what he did for London's Olympic bid.

"Beckham is loved by all. Beckham is like Pele and therefore use him to sell the idea. If these things are done and done quickly, I don't see a problem.

"For many people it would bring a legitimacy to the bid. Beckham will be speaking to the powers that be and letting them know England's time is now and that he is contributing in some way towards making that a reality. I think that particularly young people look up to Beckham," he added. "Whatever you may say of Beckham, he is an icon and an idol internationally."

Warner believes, however, that there are pressing issues which need to be addressed before the FA can bank on a successful outcome to their campaign.

"The FA have to do so many things differently compared to the failed 2006 bid. They have to find the means to be reintegrated into Europe," Warner said. "There are times when Europe regards England as that country over there, and when it suits them they include it as part of Europe."

He added: "They have to find the means to divert people from the belief that there is a kind of arrogance in England."