MADRID, Spain — English coach Fabio Capello believes David Beckham could play again for his country at the 2010 World Cup.

Capello said the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder could be called up for the tournament in South Africa, if he maintains his fitness. Beckham would be 35 by then.

"The door is open. He played the last game, and did well against France," Capello was quoted as saying by sports newspaper Marca on Friday. "It depends. There are players who at 33 or 34 take good care of themselves, they understand that the body is not as it was and they take more care. It depends a lot on that."

Beckham made his 100th international appearance in a 1-0 exhibition loss to France last month. Capello said he regularly travels to the United States to keep an eye on the former Manchester United player.

Beckham helped guide Real Madrid to a record 30th Spanish league trophy last year under Capello. But Capello isn't looking ahead to the World Cup just yet after England failed to qualify for this summer's European championships.

"I think we have a good team, but we have to work a little so that everyone understands what I want," Capello said. "We are not thinking about that (the World Cup) at the moment, we have to go step by step."