Maradona, regarded as one of the greatest to ever play the game, says he is looking forward to working for a "clean and transparent" worldwide governing body.

The 56-year-old, who had spells with Barcelona, Boca Juniors and Napoli during his club career, led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup in Mexico but was sent home from the 1994 tournament in the United States for failing a drugs test.

He was subsequently banned for 15 months.

"Yes, it’s now official," the Argentine, who played in four World Cups, said on his Facebook page. 

"I can finally fulfil one of the dreams of my life, to work for a clean and transparent FIFA, with people who love football. 

"Thanks to everyone who encouraged me to face this new challenge."

Maradona openly criticised what he called the "FIFA Mafia" back in 2015 amid the corruption scandal which had engulfed the governing body, vowing to "fight those who have for a long time stolen from inside" the organisation.

The Argentinian great openly blasted FIFA the previous year for imposing a four-month ban on Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during a match at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

He offered his support, however, to President Gianni Infantino's plan to expand the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams before his proposals were rubber-stamped at a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich last month.

"In recognition of his outstanding and unique contribution to football, FIFA is looking for the best way to collaborate with Diego Armando Maradona, ensuring he has a major role in Fifa’s activities to promote the game across the globe, through his involvement in relevant development projects and the FIFA Legends’ programme," a FIFA statement read.

Maradona, who is thought to enjoy a warm relationship with Infantino, becomes the latest former player to secure a role within the organisation.

Dutch star Marco van Basten is currently FIFA's technical director, while Croatia's Zvonimir Boban is deputy secretary general.