Lord Triesman, chairman for the bid, yesterday attempted to limit the impact of Warner's scathing assessment and promised to use key figures such as David Beckham at the right time.

Despite Triesman's sounding positive, Warner's message was that England's bid needs to gather momentum or risk losing out to Russia or Spain and Portugal.

Peter Hargitay, who was briefly hired as a strategic adviser to the Football Association, told The Times: "Not only is Jack Warner a member of the executive committee, but he is a recipient of information.

"He knows the politics and the bidding process of FIFA better than anyone. He has seen bids come and go, so if I was England, I should take seriously what he says."

Danny Jordaan, who led South Africa's bid for next year's tournament, added: "There is a large global awareness of the English Premier League but that connection between a domestic product and a world event must be made."

Warner believes England have sent "lightweight" representatives to meet FIFA executives who hold key votes like himself. Warner has three votes and could influence a further two.

He also arrived at Stamford Bridge for yesterday's Leaders Of Football summit and saw guests being given a free goody-bag promoting Australia's bid for either 2018 or 2022.

"I came here and was shocked that I got a bag for Australia at the entrance," said Warner. "I wouldn't have allowed it. Why isn't there a bag for England? People are looking at these things and asking themselves questions.

"My colleagues are saying very quietly that the guys who are coming to them are lightweight. This is the type of thing that loses you a bid.

"You have to look at what others are doing and also be creative yourself - these things are not happening."

Triesman and 2018 chief executive Andy Anson insisted they were happy with the pace of their bid, which they expected to gather momentum over the autumn.

Over the issue of free bags, Anson said: "We put in two keynote speakers. We want to outline our vision for the World Cup and if we thought there was mileage giving out free carrier bags we would."