LONDON � Going to the World Cup without David Beckham � soccer�s most marketable face and most famous right foot � seems likely to affect England�s tabloid coverage more than its chances on the field.

Eight years ago, England fans and coaching staff sweated on their then-captain�s recovery from a broken bone in his left foot, and his perceived lack of fitness was then highlighted as one of the reasons for the team�s quarterfinal loss to Brazil.
But Beckham was the main man back then.
The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder has remained a mainstay of newspaper coverage worldwide, and his movie star looks still help attract huge crowds wherever he goes. But he will be 35 when this year�s tournament starts June 11.