The 37-year-old former England skipper said in May he thought he had a “good chance” of playing at London 2012.

He said: “Naturally I am very disappointed, but there will be no bigger supporter of the team than me.

“I would have been honoured to have been part of this unique Team GB squad. Like everyone, I will be hoping they can win the gold.”

Beckham made manager Stuart Pearce’s shortlist of 35 players but was overlooked for the final 18-man squad as one of three players over the age of 23 allowed to compete in the Olympics.

Phil McNulty, Chief football writer, BBC Sport said:

“David Beckham will receive widespread sympathy after his omission from the Team GB football squad – but if his inclusion was only going to be based on sentiment or as a gesture of thanks for bringing the games to London then Stuart Pearce is right to exclude him.

“Pearce, however, is sure to feel a weight of criticism for his treatment of the enduringly popular Beckham for such a global event and many will believe his absence will damage the tournament. On purely football grounds, however, it is a decision based on sound logic.

“It was always going to be tough for the 37-year-old to be one of the three over-age players when he has been playing for LA Galaxy while Ryan Giggs, Micah Richards and Craig Bellamy have been featuring in the Premier League.”

For more on this story go to:

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18624174