Bridge has confirmed that he would not be available for selection for this summer's tournament, claiming his position in the England squad was now "untenable".
The Manches
ter City defender's decision related to the affair between his former Chelsea team-mate John Terry and Vanessa Perroncel, the mother of his young son.Bridge cannot contemplate sharing a dressing room with Terry, who is such an integral figure in Capello's squad, even though he has been stripped of the captaincy following his much-publicised indiscretions.
However, Capello will try to talk the defender round before he selects his 23-man squad for this summer's extravaganza.
"I was flying back from Milan when Wayne Bridge announced that he would not be with us for the Egypt match and also in South Africa for the World Cup," said Capello.
"It surprised me, but I respect the decision of all the players.
"But the door is always open for him.
"We have time, there is still three months until I will decide my final squad for South Africa.
"I hope that Wayne Bridge will be with us at the World Cup, but I respect his decision."
On Tuesday in South Africa, Capello expressed confidence that Bridge would be involved against Egypt at Wembley next Wednesday, and would almost certainly play given first-choice left-back Ashley Cole has been ruled out for three months with a broken ankle.
That theory was backed up around the same time in England by Stuart Pearce, a valued member of Capello's coaching team, who claimed Bridge and Terry would set any personal differences aside in the national cause.
Yet, as the time for Capello to announce his latest squad approached, so Bridge's mind has become more focused.
By a strange twist of fate, Bridge is due to meet Terry on a football pitch for the first time since news of the affair became public when Manchester City visit Chelsea on Saturday.
This meeting takes place hours before Capello names that Egypt squad yet there were claims Bridge could not even bear to shake Terry's hand during the traditional pre-match greeting.
Under those circumstances, it was difficult to understand how Bridge could reach any other conclusion than to withdraw, even though it was the scenario Capello was desperate to avoid when he stripped Terry of the captaincy.
By taking such a ruthless step, Capello hoped he could provide proof with tangible evidence that he has taken Terry's indiscretions seriously, while retaining the harmony that is going to be required at the World Cup this summer.
"I have thought long and hard about my position in the England football team in the light of the reporting and events over the last few weeks," said Bridge.
"It has always been an honour to play for England.
"However, after careful thought, I believe my position in the squad is now untenable and potentially divisive.
"Sadly, for the sake of the team and what would be inevitable distractions, I have decided not to put myself forward for selection. I have today informed the management of this decision.
"I wish the team all the best in South Africa."
Stephen Warnock and Leighton Baines are likely to be drafted into Capello's squad for the Egypt game, with fingers now firmly crossed for Cole's recovery.
Compared to Bridge's bombshell, confirmation from Sir Alex Ferguson of Rio Ferdinand's absence from next week's encounter with the African Nations Cup winners creates barely a ripple of interest.
Capello knows he can only take Ferguson on trust when he says the 31-year-old will only be sidelined for a couple of weeks with his latest problem.
Similar statements were made when Ferdinand was forced out of the United line-up in October and it was mid-January before he was fit enough for a recall.
What was once England's strong, world-class central defensive rock is now shaking at the foundations. And if Cole happens to fall as well, there will be no Bridge to aid the rescue.
Wayne Bridge Factfile
1980: Born in Southampton, August 5.
1996: July - Wins a two-year apprenticeship with his home town team.
1998: January - Signs professional terms.
August - As a left-sided midfielder, makes his first-team debut as a substitute on the opening day of the season against Liverpool. He goes on to make 24 appearances in his debut year.
2000-2001: Switched from midfield to left-back, where he is the only outfield player to feature for every minute of every league match.
2001: October - Signs a two-year contract extension amid rumours of a possible £8million bid from Liverpool.
2002: February 13 - makes England debut in the 1-1 friendly draw against Holland. Impresses, but has to come off at half-time with a bruised foot.
June - Plays two matches in England's World Cup campaign, coming on as a substitute in the group matches against Argentina and Nigeria.
2003: July 21 - Southampton confirm Bridge has signed for Chelsea in a £7million deal.
2004: April 7 - Scores an 87th-minute winner as Chelsea knock Arsenal out in a Champions League quarter-final second leg.
Selected in England's squad for Euro 2004 but did not play as Ashley Cole was preferred at left-back.
2005: February 21 - Ruled out for the season after undergoing surgery on a double fracture of his left ankle.
May - Claims a Premier League winner's medal as Jose Mourinho's Chelsea take the title.
2006: January 19 - Joins Fulham on loan for the rest of the 2006-07 season.
June/July - Is part of the England squad at the World Cup in Germany but does not take to the field.
August 31 - The arrival of Ashley Cole from Arsenal pushes Bridge down the Chelsea pecking order.
November 23 - Signs a new four-year contract with the Blues.
2007: May 19 - Plays the full 120 minutes as Chelsea defeat Manchester United 1-0 after extra-time to win the FA Cup in the first competitive match at the new Wembley.
2008: July 15 - Extends his Chelsea deal to the summer of 2012.
2009: January 2 - Moves to Manchester City where he signs a four-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
December - Suffers ankle ligament injury which rules him out for two months.
2010: January 29 - England captain John Terry is at the centre of newspaper allegations he had an affair with Vanessa Perroncel, the former partner of Bridge.
February 6 - Booed in Premier League defeat at Hull, his first competitive match since the stories broke.
February 12 - Ashley Cole ruled out for three months with a broken ankle. Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini says he expects Bridge to answer the World Cup call and fill England's left-back position.
February 25 - Bridge says his position in the England squad is "untenable and potentially divisive" and makes himself unavailable for selection.
CAPELLO HOPES TO TALK BRIDGE ROUND
