A board meeting of the bid leaders will dissect the criticism of their campaign made by FIFA vice-president Jack Warner last week and the storm that followed, and decide whether to keep to their existing strategy or implement any changes.

At least two leading figures involved with the bid believe that Warner's explosive comments were damaging and consideration needs to be given to a re-think.

Warner, the CONCACAF president who controls three of the votes on FIFA's 25-man executive committee and is an influential figure generally, described England's bid as "lightweight".

The bid's current game-plan involves a long-term campaign over the 14 months until FIFA's executive committee vote on the 2018 and 2022 hosts in December next year.

The directors will now have to determine whether to make any changes following Warner's remarks or keep on the same track.

The board will also consider whether to keep Labour peer Baroness Amos as one of the 2018 directors now that she is to take up her new role as British High Commissioner to Australia - one of England's World Cup bid rivals - this month.

It is likely that she will step aside and Richard Caborn, the former sports minister, is understood to be keen to take her place on the board.

Caborn attends board meetings as Prime Minister Gordon Brown's representative but has no voting rights. He will suggest the contacts in world football he made while sports minister would stand the bid as a whole in good stead.

As a Labour MP however, Caborn is expected to face opposition to his appointment from the Conservatives, who have already argued the board is too heavily weighted towards Labour politicians.

Brady said: "Having spent so many years working in football I am very aware how much a World Cup in England would mean to the public and I am extremely pleased to be joining England 2018 as a non-executive director.

"I feel my background in football, business and the media gives me a unique position which will enable me to create a strong link between business and football."

Elliott will also chair the England 2018 inclusivity advisory group - a panel to promote "inclusivity" from all sections of society and communities.

Elliot, who is a special advisor for the Equality and Human Rights Commission said: "I am proud to be invited to play a part in the bid and to be given the chance to spread the England 2018 message across the country and the world.

"England's multi-cultural society means there will be a 'home' welcome for every competing nation and the work we do now to integrate these communities into the process will be invaluable."