Each year 15,000 boys and girls train at Beckham's academy

Thirty-two youngsters will be on parade, each carrying a flag from the participating countries, just as the real event takes place in Munich.

Hundreds of young players will then watch Germany play Costa Rica in the tournament's first match.

The Beckham Academy in Greenwich aims to get more children playing football.

The vast facility, near the Milennium Dome site, opened last year and is said to be the largest sporting facility of its kind in Europe.

It includes two full-size indoor football pitches, classrooms, a dining hall and medical facilities.