The Russian Football Association have asked national team manager Guus Hiddink to lead their bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup finals.

England officially launched their bid on Monday, with the iconic player David Beckham and a host of former players offering their full support.

Russia think they need to do the same, and have turned to the 62-year-old Dutchman who led the team to last summer's European Championship semi-finals.

"We would like Guus to become an honorary ambassador of our World Cup campaign," the `rFA's general secretaty Alexi Sorokin told Reuters.

"We feel that his worldwide appeal would greatly enhance our chances to compete with other nations, such as England and Spain."

Russia have never hosted a major football championship.