NEW YORK -- President Bill Clinton has accepted the invitation to join the USA Bid Committee in its efforts to bring the FIFA World Cup to the United States in 2018 or 2022 and was named today the Honorary Chairman of the USA Bid.

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In his role, President Clinton will be involved in promoting the USA 's bids in the months leading to the final decision in December.

"Few heads of state, if any, have played as important a role in positively affecting social change in their years after office as President Bill Clinton," said Sunil Gulati, Chairman of the USA Bid Committee and President of U.S. Soccer. "The goals and principles of his cause-based work mirrors those of FIFA and those outlined in the U.S. bid to bring the World Cup back to the United States. We are honored by his commitment to our cause."

President Clinton's new role with the USA Bid Committee was announced at a news conference at the FC Harlem soccer facility. The announcement took place on the field following a soccer clinic hosted by New York Red Bulls players Juan Pablo Angel, Chris Albright and Seth Stammler for students that use the facility.

"In my travels around the world -- from the dirt fields of Lusaka, Zambia, to playgrounds in schools across America -- I've seen the transformative power soccer has to bring people together and transform lives on and off the field," President Clinton said. "I continue to be impressed with FIFA's work to promote the game as an agent for positive social change, and I'm proud to represent the United States in our bid to bring the World Cup tournament back to American soil, allowing us to inspire action and cooperation on an even greater scale."

The announcement regarding President Clinton comes just days after the United States and competing nations submitted their official bid books to FIFA in a formal ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland on May 14, 2010. All candidates had to have their bid applications submitted to FIFA's 24 member Executive Committee by that day.