Donovan relishing showdown with Beckham

"I can't believe it," a laughing Donovan told reporters after the two teams were drawn in Group C along with Algeria and Slovenia. "You can't ask for a much better match-up than that, it should be fun."

Earlier this year Donovan criticised Beckham in a book, saying he was not a good team mate and questioning his commitment to the Galaxy.

The former England captain hit back by calling Donovan "unprofessional" for airing his feelings in the media.

Since then the pair have buried the hatchet and led the Galaxy to the Major League Soccer final where they were beaten by Real Salt Lake on penalties.

"We've moved past the things we had problems with. Now it will just be fun," said Donovan who has won more than 100 caps for United States.

"There will be some trash talking when I see him."

HEAD TO HEAD

Donovan has recently been playing on the left of midfield which means he could go head to head with the right-sided Beckham when the two teams start their World Cup campaigns in Rustenburg on June 12.

"Assuming we're both there, both playing, it could happen. Maybe I'll give him a kick," he joked.

Donovan said his team were keen to make up for failing to qualify from the group stage at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

"For those of us that were there, this is the opportunity we've been waiting for," he said. "The hard part is waiting four years.

"We're lucky we have that opportunity to go back and I certainly want to make up for what happened."

Donovan said the Americans would know what to expect from England.

"A lot of our guys either play in England or have played in England so a lot of us know each other," he said referring to the likes of Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard and Fulham striker Clint Dempsey.