THE FA'S WORLD CUP BID TRUMP CARD IS UNVEILED

AS he fidgeted in front of a media firing squad in a Doha hotel, Lord Triesman seized on a lull in hostility.

As the rat-a-tat-tat of questions about the competence and credibility of the FA chairman ceased for a spell, a familiar name was brought up.

David Beckham. The FA's not-so-secret weapon will be parachuted from a private jet into Cape Town next month to spread his photogenic charm amongst the 24 men who will decide whether England will stage the World Cup in 2018.

Lord Triesman could not overstress the importance of Beckham's role.

But doubts about the extent of Beckham's involvement remain. His AC Milan duties will consume his time in the first half of 2010.

And if he fails to make Fabio Capello's cut, it is unlikely he will want to be in South Africa next summer.

Even if he makes it, Capello will not want him distracted by the glad-handing process that is key to a successful World Cup bid.

But the Football Association have a drawcard every bit as influential.

Enthusiasm

Protocol prevented Lord Triesman from even bringing up his identity. Prince William. In fact, not so much a drawcard as a trump card.

We understand that William will adopt a role that is more and more visible over the next 12 months.

But we have also learnt that the Prince has already been active in the push to bring the World Cup to England in just under nine years' time.

He has spoken to all of the members of the FIFA Executive Committee - either in person or on the telephone - having already met with key powerbrokers at last May's Champions League final in Rome. William's enthusiasm for helping deliver the tournament to Emgland for the first time in more than 40 years cannot be overstated.

While the day-to-day politicking with football's leaders will be carried out by Geoff Thompson, Dave Richards and David Dein, the heir to the throne intends to become an increasingly high-profile figure in the process.

Along with Prince Harry, he will be at next summer's World Cup finals, when four weeks of lobbying is seen as the most crucial time in the calendar leading up to the decision in December 2010.

But William will steal a march on other competing nations - the major rivals are a Spain-Portugal consortium and Russia - by hosting a Buckingham Palace reception for the members of the Executive Committee.

Ambassador

As President of the FA, William - an Aston Villa fan - was always going to be seen as a figurehead.

But his willingness to become a key player is a major boost to a bid that has been plagued with internal strife.

The Prince will be detached from the political webs that are spun around these sort of processes.

But he is prepared to give considerable time to championing England's claims to stage football's greatest prize.

Beckham, of course, will remain a key ambassador. And the two in harness are seen as a combination that rival nations cannot compete with. If club and country footballing commitments permit, Beckham himself is keen to speak with each of the two dozen voters.

And they will be backed up by other influential figures.

LINEKER: Could be persuaded to join the bid

One of which will be Gary Lineker.

The BBC man has already been involved, fronting media presentations and promoting the footballing legacy of England but has so far resisted approaches to become considerably more hands-on.

I understand there is a groudswell of opinion within the bid team which would like Lineker to be one of the main figureheads.

But the former England man has a range of media and business obligations that put a strain on his time.

But he could yet be persuaded.

If Lineker was added to the Prince William-Beckham axis, it would be another fillip for a bid team that has been dogged by internal wranglings and poor publicity. It might certainly take the heat off Lord Triesman.

But there is little doubt his Lordship, who is paid £100,000-a-year for the two-day- a-week role, has been a divisive figure.

And ahead of last night's friendly against Brazil, he admitted making a series of mistakes, having been forced less than 24 hours earlier to streamline the bid team.

But he insists England remain firm favourites to host the 2018 tournament.

If that is the case - and there is a real belief within FIFA that England deserve the World Cup - the careful and intelligent use of Prince William by the FA will play a major role in securing the ultimate prize.

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