They are joining a squad of ambassadors who will promote the best of English football across the world.

The squad, which includes 25 current Premier League players and managers, boasts a number of domestic and international captains, including John Terry (England and Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Michael Ballack (Germany), Aaron Mokoena (South Africa) and Kanu (Nigeria).

International figures will be able to help foster support for the bid all over the world by sharing their experiences of the English game. They include some of the biggest names in world and Premier League football in Ghana's Michael Essien, Brazil's Robinho, Nigeria's Joseph Yobo, Trinidad and Tobago's Kenwyne Jones and Paraguay's Roque Santa Cruz. The group also comprises a host of overseas players who have had a major impact on the English game, such as Gianfranco Zola, Lucas Radebe and Sven-Göran Eriksson.

In addition to a host of foreign stars are some of the current leading lights of the Premier League and the English national team in Ashley Young, David James, Emile Heskey, James Milner and Peter Crouch.

And as well as members of the England Women's team and representatives of the England disabled teams, some of the biggest names in English and Premier League football history have also pledged their support . They include Gary Lineker, Bryan Robson, David Seaman, Stuart Pearce, Peter Beardsley, Andrew Cole, Gareth Southgate, Graham Taylor, Peter Beardsley, Tony Adams, Robbie Earle and John Barnes.

The entire squad boasts more than 3,000 international caps, 450 international goals and over 70 appearances at World Cup final tournaments between them. As well as including arguably two of the greatest ever names in English and Premier League football in David Beckham and Wayne Rooney, it includes history makers like Brian Deane, who scored the first ever Premier League goal, and Alan Shearer, the League's all-time record goal scorer.

Each ambassador will offer invaluable support to England 2018 at home and abroad in a variety of ways, including attendance of Bid events and international matches, use of their image in promotional materials and meetings with key football stakeholders.

The global reputation of the ambassadors will help positively showcase England 2018 internationally and will continue to build public support for the World Cup Bid in England.

Chelsea and England Captain John Terry said: "England would be a fantastic home for the World Cup if we had the opportunity to stage the tournament in 2018. It has been great to see how much support the England 2018 World Cup Bid has already received from people in the game.

"Important names in football have been coming forward to find out how they can help and our passionate fans can also make a real difference by texting '62018' to Back the Bid or visiting www.england2018bid.com."

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack is one of a number of world class stars who appreciates the excitement of the Premier League. The former Bayern Munich star said: "The atmosphere and competitive nature of English football has been a great experience, playing with and against the best players in the world. England would be a fitting host for the 2018 World Cup."

Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers old boy Alan Shearer is another Premier League legend whose name and face is instantly recognisable across the world.

"I am convinced England would be a fabulous place for World Cup football," said the former England captain, who scored 30 goals for the national side in 63 games. "We love the game here and it plays a part in every town, village, city and street in England. It gives me great pleasure to provide support along with a number of great figures to help give our passionate fans the chance to see World Cup football in this country."

Sir David Richards, Premier League chairman and deputy chairman of England 2018, endorsed that view: "The Premier League is a fantastic combination of an essentially English competition that attracts some of the finest players from right across the world - these ambassadors speak from the experience of having enjoyed their football in England.

"There is a simple message we want to get across in England's bid to host the FIFA 2018 World Cup - come and enjoy a feast of world class football in fantastic stadiums where all are welcome and will receive wonderful support," said Richards.

Andy Anson, Chief Executive of England 2018 commented: "This is a tremendous season for international football and anyone who pulls on an England shirt at any level is an ambassador for our nation and in turn the England 2018 World Cup Bid.

"We are also delighted to have secured support from right across the football family and feel each and every individual will be a tremendous asset to England 2018.

"We also anticipate that over the course of the campaign even more people in the game, clubs and supporters will step forward to help us try and achieve our goal of World Cup football in England."

Aaron Mokoena (Everton and South Africa), Alan Shearer, Alexandre Song (Arsenal and Cameroon), Andrew Cole, Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Brian Deane, Bryan Robson, Carlos Edwards (Trinidad & Tobago), Chris Powell, Cyrille Regis, David Beckham, David James (Portsmouth), David Seaman, David Clarke (England Blind Squad) Des Walker, Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Eniola Aluko, Faye White, Gareth Southgate, Gary Lineker, Gary Mabbutt, Gianfranco Zola (West Ham United and Italy), Glenn Hoddle, Graeme Le Saux, Graham Taylor, Howard Wilkinson, James Milner (Aston Villa), John Barnes, John Obi Mikel (Chelsea and Nigeria), John Terry (Chelsea), Joseph Yobo (Everton and Nigeria), Kanu (Portsmouth and Nigeria), Kenwyne Jones (Sunderland and Trinidad & Tobago), Kelly Smith, Kolo Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast), Lucas Radebe (South Africa), Luther Blissett , Michael Ballack (Chelsea and Germany), Michael Barker (England Cerebral Palsy Squad), Michael Chopra, Michael Essien (Chelsea and Ghana), Muzzy Izzet (Turkey), Osvaldo Ardiles (Argentina), Paul Elliott, Paul Ince, Paul Parker, Peter Beardsley, Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Peter Shilton, Phil Neville (Everton), Ray Clemence, Ray Wilkins, Rachel Brown, Ricardo Villa (Argentina), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Robbie Earle (Jamaica) Roberto Di Matteo (Italy), Robinho (Manchester City and Brazil), Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City and Paraguay), Salomon Kalou (Chelsea and Ivory Coast), Sol Campbell, Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Steven Pienaar (Everton and South Africa), Stuart Pearce, Sven-Göran Eriksson (Sweden), Teddy Sheringham, Terry Venables, Tony Adams, Tony Woodcock, Victor Anichebe (Everton and Nigeria), Viv Anderson, Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Zesh Rehman (Pakistan).