Explaining his surprise decision Eriksson said: "I had thought about it a lot since Beckham was injured and I talked to Michael this morning and decided.
"There are many reasons why I have chosen him. One small reason is that he's playing at home.
"Secondly he was Footballer of the Year in Europe last season and he's one of the most outstanding players in this country, Europe and the world.
"He's very popular, although Manchester United fans may not agree with that, and he's a clean, young, talented player who will be in the England squad for many years."
Eriksson stressed that this decision is for tomorrow's game only.
"It's a decision for this game," he said. "If Beckham is still not fit when we go to South Korea we will see what happens but I refuse to think that Beckham will not be fit for the World Cup.
"Michael has a lot of qualities to be a good captain. I believe he is a good ambassador for English football. Maybe it is a surprise but he is the future.
"Perhaps from this squad you could say that David Seaman, Gary Neville, Gareth Southgate should be captain for this game but I believe Michael is the right decision."
Michael Owen, who was 22 last December, is not the youngest player to lead England.
Bobby Moore still holds that honour as he captained his country against Czechoslovakia in Bratislava on 29 May, 1963.
He was aged 22 years and 47 days.
West Ham-great Moore, who died in 1993 of cancer, played for England 108 times and scored two goals.
The central-defender was captain when England beat West Germany 4-2 to win the World Cup at Wembley in 1966.
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