Clinton will play a major role in promoting the American bid during the final countdown to a decision in December.

Clinton, who has dedicated his time to global philanthropy since leaving office in 2000, said he saw parallels between that work and working with the US bid.

"In my travels around the world - from the dirt fields of Lusaka, Zambia, to playgrounds in schools across America - I've seen the transformative power soccer has to bring people together and transform lives on and off the field," President Clinton said.

"I continue to be impressed with FIFA's work to promote the game as an agent for positive social change, and I'm proud to represent the United States in our bid to bring the World Cup tournament back to American soil, allowing us to inspire action and cooperation on an even greater scale."

The United States, which hosted the World Cup in 1994, is among six bidders to have expressed a desire to host either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, with Australia, England, Holland-Belgium, Portugal-Spain and Russia the others.

Japan, Qatar and South Korea have applied separately to host the 2022 edition.