BT has been named as an official partner of the campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Cup to be held in England.

The broadband provider has revealed that the England 2018 organisation has signed it up to carry out work which will help in efforts to create a solid case as to why the country should host the tournament.

As part of the campaign, BT is set to advise on the role communications services could play in the final submission sent to FIFA in May.

BT Retail's Chief Executive Officer Gavin Patterson said: "Access to communications services, especially high-speed broadband and IPTV, would be absolutely crucial to allowing people to watch the games and associated news and events."

He added that the company's involvement highlighted the expertise it can provide to "the world's greatest sporting events".

Last month, BT launched a new fibre optic broadband service for both household and business customers.