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.