David Beckham feels "very optimistic" about England's chances at the World Cup.
Speaking at a charity event in central London, the former team captain also addressed concerns about the squad's younger players - saying he thought they were more than up to the job.
The former football star also said he had faith in Wayne Rooney following criticism about the striker's performance.
Beckham played - and scored- at three World Cup finals
Asked how he felt about the competition, which kicks off in Brazil in three days time, Beckham said: "Yeah very optimistic.
"Obviously I've been to a few myself and I know that going into a World Cup - I always believe going into any World Cup or any big competition that I used to go in as a player - that you can go all the way, and our players will be doing exactly the same."
Speaking on the issue of the relatively young squad, Beckham added: "People talked about how we've got young players going out to a World Cup to one of the biggest competitions in the world, and are young players up for it.
United for Wildlife
The Duke Of Cambridge Launches A United For Wildlife Campaign(01 of22)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 09: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge launches the 'United for Wildlife' Campaign with David Beckham at Google Town Hall on June 9, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Launches A United For Wildlife Campaign(02 of22)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 09: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge lauches the 'United for Wildlife' Campaign with David Beckham at Google Town Hall on June 9, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Launches A United For Wildlife Campaign(03 of22)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 09: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge lauches the 'United for Wildlife' Campaign with David Beckham at Google Town Hall on June 9, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Launches A United For Wildlife Campaign(04 of22)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 09: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and David Beckham sign a t-shirt as they lauch the 'United for Wildlife' Campaign at Google Town Hall on June 9, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Launches A United For Wildlife Campaign(05 of22)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 09: David Beckham and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge launch the 'United for Wildlife' Campaign at Google Town Hall on June 9, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Launches A United For Wildlife Campaign(06 of22)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 09: David Beckham talks at the launch for 'United for Wildlife' Campaign at Google Town Hall on June 9, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Launches A United For Wildlife Campaign(07 of22)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 09: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge launches the 'United for Wildlife' Campaign with David Beckham at Google Town Hall on June 9, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ROYALS-WILDLIFE-CONSERVATION-SPORT-FBL(08 of22)
Former England football player David Beckham smiles as he attends an event to launch the United for Wildlife campaign #WhoseSideAreYouOn which aims to use the power of sport to raise awareness of conservation issues around the world, in central London on June 9, 2014. The Duke of Cambridge, president of United for Wildlife, was joined by David Beckham, who heads a team of sporting stars backing the campaign to engage young people's support on social networks to combat the illegal trade in wildlife products. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Launches A United For Wildlife Campaign(09 of22)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 09: David Beckham talks at the launch for 'United for Wildlife' Campaign at Google Town Hall on June 9, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Launches A United For Wildlife Campaign(10 of22)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 09: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge lauches the 'United for Wildlife' Campaign with David Beckham at Google Town Hall on June 9, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ROYALS-WILDLIFE-CONSERVATION-SPORT-FBL(11 of22)
Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, (R) and former England football player David Beckham (L) pose with Vietnamese pop-singer Thu Minh (C) during an event to launch the United for Wildlife campaign #WhoseSideAreYouOn which aims to use the power of sport to raise awareness of conservation issues around the world, in central London on June 9, 2014. The Duke of Cambridge, president of United for Wildlife, was joined by David Beckham, who heads a team of sporting stars backing the campaign to engage young people's support on social networks to combat the illegal trade in wildlife products. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Launches A United For Wildlife Campaign(12 of22)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 09: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge launches the 'United for Wildlife' Campaign with David Beckham at Google Town Hall on June 9, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ROYALS-WILDLIFE-CONSERVATION-SPORT-FBL(13 of22)
Former England football player David Beckham attends an event to launch the United for Wildlife campaign #WhoseSideAreYouOn which aims to use the power of sport to raise awareness of conservation issues around the world, in central London on June 9, 2014. The Duke of Cambridge, president of United for Wildlife, was joined by David Beckham, who heads a team of sporting stars backing the campaign to engage young people's support on social networks to combat the illegal trade in wildlife products. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ROYALS-WILDLIFE-CONSERVATION-SPORT-FBL(14 of22)
A picture shows the tattoos on the back of one of the hands of former England football player David Beckham as he attends an event to launch the United for Wildlife campaign #WhoseSideAreYouOn which aims to use the power of sport to raise awareness of conservation issues around the world, in central London on June 9, 2014. The Duke of Cambridge, president of United for Wildlife, was joined by David Beckham, who heads a team of sporting stars backing the campaign to engage young people's support on social networks to combat the illegal trade in wildlife products. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ROYALS-WILDLIFE-CONSERVATION-SPORT-FBL(15 of22)
Former England football player David Beckham attends an event to launch the United for Wildlife campaign #WhoseSideAreYouOn which aims to use the power of sport to raise awareness of conservation issues around the world, in central London on June 9, 2014. The Duke of Cambridge, president of United for Wildlife, was joined by David Beckham, who heads a team of sporting stars backing the campaign to engage young people's support on social networks to combat the illegal trade in wildlife products. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ROYALS-WILDLIFE-CONSERVATION-SPORT-FBL(16 of22)
Former England football player David Beckham attends an event to launch the United for Wildlife campaign #WhoseSideAreYouOn which aims to use the power of sport to raise awareness of conservation issues around the world, in central London on June 9, 2014. The Duke of Cambridge, president of United for Wildlife, was joined by David Beckham, who heads a team of sporting stars backing the campaign to engage young people's support on social networks to combat the illegal trade in wildlife products. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ROYALS-WILDLIFE-CONSERVATION-SPORT-FBL(17 of22)
Former England football player David Beckham speaks at an event to launch the United for Wildlife campaign #WhoseSideAreYouOn which aims to use the power of sport to raise awareness of conservation issues around the world, in central London on June 9, 2014. The Duke of Cambridge, president of United for Wildlife, was joined by David Beckham, who heads a team of sporting stars backing the campaign to engage young people's support on social networks to combat the illegal trade in wildlife products. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ROYALS-WILDLIFE-CONSERVATION-SPORT-FBL(18 of22)
Former England football player David Beckham speaks at an event to launch the United for Wildlife campaign #WhoseSideAreYouOn which aims to use the power of sport to raise awareness of conservation issues around the world, in central London on June 9, 2014. The Duke of Cambridge, president of United for Wildlife, was joined by David Beckham, who heads a team of sporting stars backing the campaign to engage young people's support on social networks to combat the illegal trade in wildlife products. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ROYALS-WILDLIFE-CONSERVATION-SPORT-FBL(19 of22)
Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, (R) and former England football player David Beckham (L) pose with Vietnamese pop-singer Thu Minh (C) during an event to launch the United for Wildlife campaign #WhoseSideAreYouOn which aims to use the power of sport to raise awareness of conservation issues around the world, in central London on June 9, 2014. The Duke of Cambridge, president of United for Wildlife, was joined by David Beckham, who heads a team of sporting stars backing the campaign to engage young people's support on social networks to combat the illegal trade in wildlife products. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ROYALS-WILDLIFE-CONSERVATION-SPORT-FBL(20 of22)
Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, (R) and former England football player David Beckham (L) pose with a signed shirt during an event to launch the United for Wildlife campaign #WhoseSideAreYouOn which aims to use the power of sport to raise awareness of conservation issues around the world, in central London on June 9, 2014. The Duke of Cambridge, president of United for Wildlife, was joined by David Beckham, who heads a team of sporting stars backing the campaign to engage young people's support on social networks to combat the illegal trade in wildlife products. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ROYALS-WILDLIFE-CONSERVATION-SPORT-FBL(21 of22)
Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, (R) and former England football player David Beckham (L) pose with a signed shirt during an event to launch the United for Wildlife campaign #WhoseSideAreYouOn which aims to use the power of sport to raise awareness of conservation issues around the world, in central London on June 9, 2014. The Duke of Cambridge, president of United for Wildlife, was joined by David Beckham, who heads a team of sporting stars backing the campaign to engage young people's support on social networks to combat the illegal trade in wildlife products. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ROYALS-WILDLIFE-CONSERVATION-SPORT-FBL(22 of22)
Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, (R) and former England football player David Beckham (L) pose with a signed shirt during an event to launch the United for Wildlife campaign #WhoseSideAreYouOn which aims to use the power of sport to raise awareness of conservation issues around the world, in central London on June 9, 2014. The Duke of Cambridge, president of United for Wildlife, was joined by David Beckham, who heads a team of sporting stars backing the campaign to engage young people's support on social networks to combat the illegal trade in wildlife products. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
"I've no doubt they're up for it.
"These players play in the biggest leagues in the world. They play against some of the best players, some of the biggest players, so without a doubt, it doesn't matter how young they are, it doesn't matter what age they are.
"They're prepared, they're ready for it. You can see the good thing about having young players go into a competition is the fact that they're not scared. Young players are not scared to go out there and perform and play for themselves and play for the team, and so they'll be ready."