After coming under sustained criticism in the wake of Jack Warner's stinging attack and the subsequent handbags scandal, Triesman has been forced to make radical alterations to his bid team.

He has made cuts to his board, ousting former Sports Minister Richard Caborn and pushing David Gill and Karren Brady onto a new advisory group, while calling for a renewed sense of focus ahead of the vote, which takes place in December next year.

It seems the likes of Spain, Russia and Australia have stolen a march on the English bid, which started the process as a clear favourite.

However, Triesman remains confident his masterplan will work.

"We have the very best chance of winning it and I still believe it is the most probable outcome," he said.

"There is a warmth about England and the understanding of what we can do, including the revenues we can generate, which are beyond what anyone else could do.

"That is not an inconsiderable factor because FIFA's ability to distribute money is wholly dependent on the World Cup as a commercial enterprise.

"Even Jack Warner said he was only sending us a corrective - it was a bit of an exocet corrective mind - from someone who did not start off hostile to English football.

"And I firmly believe we now have a structure in place that is directed at the elements you need to win it."

There still remain huge doubts, not least around Triesman himself.

While predecessor Geoff Thompson, who has also been given a central role, is a key figure at both FIFA and UEFA, Triesman is largely unknown in football circles and sceptics say he has not made a positive impression.

It is an argument he dismisses, along with the suggestion he should hold his hands up and walk away.

"I wouldn't do anything that would undermine the bid," he said.

"One consideration is my own performance, the second is what the impact would be if I stood back.

"I am not sure anyone has ever done that and I am not very keen to be the person to test it because it could cause serious collateral damage.

"We have got the oldest and probably the most widely admired FA in the world. For me to throw my hands up in the air and say I am not carrying on with this effort would be a shabby way of treating our organisation. I wouldn't do it."

England also seem to be losing out with Government assistance.

Russia and Australia have both announced big cash injections from central funds, whereas England were 'only' going to get £5million.

Now even that has been scrapped, with the Treasury instead offering a £2.5million loan.

Triesman has had dialogue with David Cameron's office in the likely event of a change of ruling party after next year's General Election.

But he accepts the ongoing recession has proved to be a problem.

"The government did get on board but then it got hit by the credit crunch," he said.

"Their budgets suddenly got put under the microscope in a way that they had not anticipated at the beginning.

"It would be very helpful for the government's support to be shown in that way but at least they are helping with the other big ticket items, such as taxation.

"That is important, irrespective of what other frustrations you might have."