DAVID Beckham is ready to throw his weight behind England’s 2018 World Cup bid – but has urged organisers to listen to the advice and criticism levelled at them.

FIFA vice-president Jack Warner was critical about England’s tactics and one of his suggestions when he visited London last week was using Beckham’s popularity in the same way he did for the 2012 Olympics bid.

“Everyone has their opinions and say things that we need to do,” said the 34-year-old England midfielder.

“We need to take that on board.

It’s not something that you just dismiss.

“You have to take advice and criticism from people because you learn from that.

“You have to learn from people who have high ranking and know a lot about it. That’s been where the criticism has come from so we take that on board and we have to learn from things.

“And we will do because we are not expecting this – we want to get it. We’re not taking anything for granted.”

Warner felt England could have been more aggressive in the early stages of the bid process, although 2018 chairman Lord Triesman pointed out that arrogance had cost them the 2006 tournament. Triesman himself has been in the spotlight over the direction of the bid.

“We have the people there and we are serious about this bid,” Beckham said.

“It’s not something we’re taking lightly.

“Just because we are England, love the game and we’re one of the biggest nations for the game, it doesn’t mean we are taking this bid lightly.”

Although the 2018 team are wary of the “Football’s Coming Home” attitude that undermined the last attempt, Beckham strongly believes England are capable of hosting the tournament.

“I think we’re right because we are a nation that loves the game,” he said.

“The facilities around our country are exceptional. You look at the stadium and they are second to none. If we were given the World Cup and it was held next week, we would be ready.”

Beckham’s involvement is limited by his playing commitments for the Los Angeles Galaxy and England – but he will help when he can.

“If I can fly to different countries and help us have a chance of getting this then I’ll do that,” he said.

“I was honoured to be involved in the Olympic bid and we were successful there and I was asked to be an ambassador of this one. So of course I accepted it and I’m serious about it. But obviously I’m still playing as well so it’s difficult for me to go to different places but given the MLS season ends in November, I’ll be in South Africa in December (for the World Cup draw).”