World Cup 2018 delegates target Sepp Blatter in South Africa

London's Mayor will hold high-level talks with Fifa president Sepp Blatter in South Africa to help bring the World Cup to England in 2018.

Boris Johnson, an internationally recognised figure after the Beijing Olympics, will also meet several other voting Fifa members who will decide who hosts the tournament.

He will join David Beckham and Prince William at a major reception in Johannesburg to boost England's chances of landing the tournament.

A spokesman for the Mayor said: "We're keen to learn as many lessons as we can from South Africa about hosting a major sporting tournament, two years ahead of the Olympics.

"We're also very keen to hear more about the successful application to host what promises to be a spectacular football tournament over the coming few weeks. The Mayor is determined to do all he can to promote England's prospects of hosting the World Cup in 2018."

Mr Johnson is due to watch England take on Algeria on Friday in the second match in the group stages.

He will be accompanied by two senior aides - Olympics adviser Neale Coleman and director of communications Guto Harri.

City Hall's marketing director, Dan Ritterband, will be in South Africa as a guest of adidas.