'Coach' David Beckham is ready for the World Cup

The former England captain was ruled out of the tournament back in March when he snapped his Achilles while on loan at AC Milan, but is expected to join Capello's backroom team for the finals.

Speaking in Zurich today at the presentation of England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup, the former Manchester United star said: "I've spoken to the manager and his No2 Franco Baldini and they have made me well aware that I have a role to play with the players and the team.

"We have not discussed specifics but I'm honoured that a manager of Fabio's status feels I can be important.

"I am hoping to travel with the team but obviously we'll have to see how my therapy goes."
Beckham led a five-man delegation in Switzerland today to present FIFA president Sepp Blatter with England's 2018 World Cup bid book.

"I'm here on behalf of our fans," said Beckham. "Football runs through our veins. We are all brought up on it. It's truly an honour to be here.

"As you will see by our bid book we have a lot of passion for the game and bringing the biggest sporting event in the world to our country.

"As a player you always dream of playing a World Cup in your own country so you will see the emotion this will bring to us and our fans."

Blatter thanked the team and revealed he had already spoken to Prime Minister David Cameron.

"Yesterday, I received a phone call from the new Prime Minister. Not only did he express his determination to be behind the bid but he is also behind the World Cup in 2010," said Blatter.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "The PM stressed the new government was absolutely behind England's 2018 bid. He reminded Mr Blatter that football was the national sport and people in England were extremely passionate about the game.

"He said that this country has great infrastructure and facilities and has a history of delivering great major sporting events like Euro 96. He said that people in England were fully behind the bid."

The next stage of the bid process is FIFA's technical inspection — where England's bid for the 2006 World Cup failed — at the end of August. The final vote will be taken by FIFA's executive committee on 2 December.

It is expected that the 2018 tournament will be awarded to Europe, where England are up against Russia as well as joint bids from Spain/Portugal and Holland/Belgium.

While Beckham is expected to be on the plane to South Africa next month, his former Manchester United team-mate Paul Scholes rejected the opportunity to make an international comeback this summer.

The midfielder discussed his decision to turn down Capello's invitation with Sir Alex Ferguson.
The United manager said: "Paul made his decision years ago. I think Fabio did the right thing to give him the opportunity to come back but he's established with his family, he enjoys his family life. I don't think it was a goer.

"He spoke to me and I told him to go with his gut instinct and his gut instinct was to stay where he was."