Landon Donovan and Mia Hamm have joined the bid for the 2018 World Cup. Two of the most decorated players in US National Team history, Donovan and Hamm today accepted invitations to join the Board of Directors for the USA Bid Committee in its endeavour to bring the FIFA World Cup to the United States in 2018 or 2022.

The all-time leading scorer for the US Men's National Team, Donovan is a two-time recipient of the US Soccer Athlete of the Year award and three-time MLS Cup Champion.

Hamm, a two-time FIFA World Cup Champion and two-time Olympic Gold Medallist, retired from soccer in 2004 after scoring more international goals than any other player, male or female, in the history of the sport.

"The US Soccer Federation has been an instrumental part of my development as a soccer player for more than a decade, so it's an honour for me to be asked to join the USA Bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022," said Donovan.

"I was too young to play in the World Cup this country hosted in 1994, but all of us playing in MLS know it was the success of that event that laid the foundation for our league. I look forward to doing whatever I can to help bring the World Cup back to the United States."

"I'm honoured to join the USA Bid Committee Board of Directors and do my part to raise awareness about our bid to host the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup and our country's overall passion and support for the game," said Hamm.

"As someone who has played in two Women's World Cups on American soil - one of which we had the extreme satisfaction of winning in front of a home crowd -- I know just how great a host this country can be for international soccer at its highest level of competition."