World cup David Dein has been appointed International president of England's 2018 World Cup bid.

The former Arsenal vice-chairman has been brought in invigorate the project which is being rivalled by Russia, whose campaign is being bank-rolled by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

A former G14 chairman, Dein is acknowledged as one of the game's biggest power brokers. He will be given a free hand to lobby Fifa's executive committee which makes its decision on who will host the global tournament.