The team's official charity is to make a donation to the first International Centre for Disability Football, one of the projects at the centre of the bid's legacy plans.

"A World Cup in this country is a seriously exciting prospect so I am very keen to do whatever I can to help,"said England vice-captain Ferdinand, who is nearing a return to action after a knee injury wrecked his World Cup hopes this summer.

"I am fortunate to be in a position where I can commit to working with charity projects and I've seen first-hand the power that football can have in helping people.

"Being awarded the privilege of hosting the World Cup will help support football, social and human development projects more than a World Cup anywhere else. I will be doing what I can to support our bid between now and the end of the year and I would encourage everyone to do the same."

FIFA is keen to see bidding nations put in place plans for a strong legacy after the tournament, and the England bid will be putting its focus on that over the coming months.

The donation for the disability centre will come from the Team England Footballers' Charity, which uses players' match fees to make donations.