By DPA
Zurich : Former football star Franz Beckenbauer will work as a social ambassador for FIFA when he becomes a member of the organisation's executive committee later this week.
"This fits in very well with my ideas and thoughts. Internationally, I am very interested in supporting the poorest FIFA members," the 61-year-old football legend said in an interview published Monday on German football federation DFB's website.
Beckenbauer, who will replace Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder on the FIFA executive committee Thursday, added that South Africa required total support in hosting the 2010 World Cup.
"The pride of all of Africa hangs on this World Cup," he said.
Joseph Blatter will also be voted FIFA president for a third term at the Congress as the 71-year-old Swiss is the only candidate for the post.
"This is a great sign of confidence in me and demonstrates the unity within the football family," said Blatter, who has already held the post for nine years.