NEW YORK � Landon Donovan and Mia Hamm have joined the board of directors for the United States� bid committee trying to win rights to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022.

Donovan, a star for the Los Angeles Galaxy, is the career scoring leader for the U.S. national team. Hamm retired from the U.S. in 2004 after winning the Women�s World Cup twice.
England and Spain are considered the leading contenders in the 2018 vote, with the U.S. a favorite for 2022.
Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico and Russia also are bidding for both tournaments, along with joint bids from Netherlands-Belgium and Portugal-Spain. Qatar and South Korea are bidding for 2022 only.
FIFA�s executive committee is to vote in December 2010.