Fabio Capello would stand proud for England even if his team face Italy in the World Cup final.

There may still be a few teething problems for Capello to address before his dream scenario can come true but should his adopted national team come face-to-face with the Azzurri at Soccer City on July 11, there is not a moment's hesitation about what Capello would want the outcome to be.

"I hope to play against Italy in the final or the semi-final but at that moment my shirt would be an England shirt," he said. "I would not swap my position with (Italy boss) Marcello Lippi."