British PM Cameron tries to woo FIFA voter Warner

Published Nov. 18, 2010 8:45 a.m. ET

foxsports

British Prime Minister David Cameron has invited FIFA vice president Jack Warner to lunch in Zurich to win support for England's 2018 World Cup bid.

Warner is president of the CONCACAF confederation which has three of the 22 executive committee voters, and his support could be crucial for England's hopes of hosting the tournament.

Warner told Trinidad daily Newsday that Cameron telephoned him about meeting next Thursday - seven days before FIFA's ruling executive panel chooses the 2018 and 2022 hosts.

Warner reportedly told Cameron that Russia is England's main rival in a four-way contest with Spain-Portugal and Belgium-Netherlands.

David Beckham has previously opened a youth academy in Trinidad, as part of England's wooing of Warner.