David Beckham is convinced England can lift the World Cup next summer if luck goes their way.

England lost to Argentina at the last 16 stage of the 1998 World Cup, to Brazil in the quarter-finals in 2002 and to Portugal in the Euro 2004 last eight.

Captain Beckham told the BBC: “I believe we have got a good chance. You need luck, something we didn’t have in recent competitions when we scored goals that weren’t allowed.”

Beckham added England’s rivals are likely to be Argentina, France, Italy and Germany, but singled out Brazil as the biggest threat to Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side. “Brazil are the best team in the world,” said Beckham, who plays with Brazil internationals Ronaldo, Robinho and Roberto Carlos at Real Madrid.

“They’ve some of the best players in the world - I’m lucky to play with them and I know how good they are. But we’re quietly confident if we come up against teams like that.”

Beckham believes England’s 3-2 friendly win over Argentina in Geneva in November has given the squad a renewed sense of confidence as they look forward to the finals which take place in Germany from June 9-July 9.

“That win finished the year off well for the national team and the manager.

“Argentina are rated the second best team in the world and they’ve got some great players like Juan Riqueleme. If we play like that and get the luck we need and stick together then who knows?

“The confidence was sky high after the game, so we’re quietly confident if we come up again teams like that - we’ve got that English mentality of never say die.”

England will face Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago and Sweden in Group B when the World Cup begins.

Meanwhile, Newcastle striker and former England captain Alan Shearer says he will stick by his decision to retire at the end of the season.

Shearer told Saturday’s Sun newspaper: “As far as I am concerned, nothing has changed. I will retire at the end of the season.”

Shearer has made a sizeable impact this campaign, making 20 apearances for Newcastle and scoring eight goals.

Meanwhile, former Chelsea and AC Milan star Ruud Gullit has jumped to the defence of Real Madrid midfielder David Beckham.

Gullit told AS: "It annoys me that they criticise Beckham only because of the fact he's the most famous footballer in the world.

"People forget that Beckham is the prototype of the English player. He runs, he fights, he fights for the ball, has an exceptional first touch and never surrenders. He is a good player and in my team would always have a place."

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