The former England captain, whose hopes of an international recall were dashed by a knee injury, believes the world-class players in Steve McClaren's squad will shine through.

England must win against Israel and then Andorra next week otherwise there is a real possibility of losing out to Croatia and Russia for the two Group E qualifying places.

Beckham said: "They will be fine, they have got too many good players to not qualify.

"They have got a couple of tough games coming up but the players know that, and the players will be fine with that.

"They have just got to be confident and there are a lot of confident lads in that team - you saw that at the weekend with Wayne Rooney, who had not scored for a while, and he goes and scores those goals.

"Andy Johnson scored the winner against Arsenal so they are fresh from playing well for their clubs.

"I've spent a lot of time playing and training with these players and they are some of the best players in the world."

Beckham was speaking on a visit to a school in Bristol to launch a new website for schools, www.thedavidbeckhamacademy.co.uk, to provide a free online coaching guide for teachers and pupils.

The Real Madrid midfielder insisted he had not given up hope of persuading McClaren to recall him to the squad - the England manager had been due to watch him play in the Champions League against Bayern Munich before the player's injury intervened.

Beckham added: "Owen [Hargreaves] was playing in that game as well but unfortunately I got injured the game before - and it wasn't meant to be.

"I have always said I will be available for my country and that still stands.

"I'm not reconciled to not being part of the squad and it's always tough when it comes to international week and I'm not involved but there have been a few of those now so I'm becoming accustomed to spending time with the family or doing different things.

"I've never been a great spectator even when I was a young kid. I hated watching the games when I felt I could be playing. Of course I will watch the England games though - I'll sit and watch them with the family."

Beckham also paid tribute to his successor in Manchester United's No 7 shirt, Cristiano Ronaldo, for shrugging off the controversy after he was involved in the sending off of Rooney during England's World Cup defeat by Portugal.

"He's having a hell of season," said Beckham. "What he had to go through at the end of last season was tough but he couldn't have been at a better team and under a better manager.

"He's had the support of the fans and the club and, with that, you have every chance of coming through those bad times and he has been pretty incredible this year."