It pits the American billionaire against David Beckham, England's high-profile ambassador for 2018, who plays for Los Angeles Galaxy, which Anschutz also owns.

 

Anschutz, who was inducted into the US National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2006, will play an influential role as a member of the Board of Directors as the USA Bid Committee prepares its application and campaign to bring the event back to America.

 

Anschutz is recognised as one of the founding fathers of Major League Soccer (MLS), and through AEG has become an investor/operator of MLS with the Colorado Rapids in its inaugural season of 1996.

 

AEG is the current owner of the Houston Dynamo as well as Galaxy and at various times during the 13-year history of MLS has held ownership in the Chicago Fire, San Jose Earthquakes, New York/New Jersey MetroStars and D.C. United.

 

Sunil Gulati, the chairman of the US bid, said: "Phil Anschutz and AEG have played a key role in the development of soccer in this country over the last 15 years.

 

"Phil and his associates have been instrumental in the continued growth of MLS, in particular, and we're pleased to have his experience and leadership as a part of our bid committee."

 

Owners and operators of sports and entertainment venues around the world, AEG developed and operates The Home Depot Center in Carson, California, where Galaxy play and which hosted the 2003 Women's World Cup Final in its inaugural season.

 

As well as the O2 AEG also owns the Manchester Evening News Arena and the London Arena.

 

Ancschutz joins a high-profile list of figures to join the US bid, taking his place alongside California Governor and former Hollywood star Arnie Schwarzenegger, ex-Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and Mia Hamm, the world's best-known female player.

 

The US is one of nine bidders for the 2018 World Cup, which England are favourites to win.

 

The other bidders are Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico Russia and joint bids from Holland and Spain and Spain and Portugal.

 

The US is the favourite to be awarded the 2022 World Cup, which is due to be awarded by world governing body FIFA at the same time as 2018 in December 2010.

 

Qatar and South Korea are also bidding for that event.