The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has called the industrial action because of its concerns about what will happen to tube workers if private firms are brought in to run parts of the network.

Its members, who include many tube drivers, will strike from 1830 on Sunday, June 14.

Union predicts 'complete stoppage'

The union said underground services would start running down on the Sunday evening. The RMT General Secretary Jimmy Knapp predicted there would be a "complete stoppage" on the tube on the Monday and Tuesday.

Management says the tube has "a great future"

The strike is expected to cause major disruption to commuters in the capital and its suburbs.

In addition it will mean football fans could face major travel problems if they want to get home to watch England's afternoon match against Tunisia on June 15.

The union said it had not deliberately timed the strike to coincide with the game.

The strike has been called after the RMT pressed for assurances that conditions of service, jobs and pensions would not be hit by the government's plans for private firms to become involved in running parts of the tube system.

It wants a guarantee that there will be no compulsory redundancies if private companies take over.

Strike regretted by both sides

Mr Knapp said: "We very much regret the inconvenience that this decision will cause but it is a direct result of London Underground's total disregard of the very real concerns expressed by our members."

London Underground said it was "very sorry" that the strike had been called and said it would have to consider the implications.

A spokesman said the tube was facing a "great future" having secured funding from the government which held out the prospect of long-term improvements.

Many staff would remain in the public sector under the government's plans, said the spokesman. "It goes without saying that the last thing Londoners need now is a strike on the underground."