England

Rooney: Key man

World Cup schedule
June 12: vs. USA (Rustenburg)
June 18: vs. Algeria (Cape Town)
June 23: vs. Slovenia (Port Elizabeth)
Key players
Wayne Rooney, striker
Steve Gerrard, midfielder
Best WC result: Winnners in 1966
FIFA World Rank: 8

England head to South Africa bidding to end 44-years of hurt and win a competition that has eluded them since 1966.

In football terms, England can rightly claim a rich heritage as well as credit for codifying and spreading the game. However, England's national teams have rarely fulfilled that promise.

At the club level, TV money has transformed what was becoming a static product into arguably the most dynamic and popular league on the planet. England's success in Europe at club level is undeniable, with Manchester United, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest all winning the European Cup, while Arsenal and Chelsea also remain consistent campaigners for European glory.

However, it must be noted that England's justifiable pride happens also to be the nation's Achilles heel when it comes to major international competitions. While England's clubs have unquestionably benefited from foreign influence on the Premier League, the national team arguably too often relies on tactics that have been out-thought and dated for well over two decades.

This time, England arguably has its best team since they won the World Cup in 1966. This is perhaps the best opportunity for them to win a World Cup in a generation. But then they say that every four years.

PAST WORLD CUP SUCCESS:

England have only won the World Cup once, in 1966, when they hosted it. They have come tantalizingly close on other occasions, but have fallen short - usually in what the tabloids call "glorious failure."

REGIONAL SUCCESS:

England have never won the European Championship or even reached the final. Twice they have finished third. At the 1968 tournament in Italy, they lost to Yugoslavia, 2-1, in the semi-finals and beat the USSR, 2-0, in the third-place match. At the 1996 tournament on home soil, they fell to Germany on penalties.

LEAGUE OVERVIEW:

England's Premier League, formed anew in 1992, might just be the world's top league. It is clearly one of the wealthiest and most historic. With enormous resources thanks to wealthy owners and lucrative TV contracts, England attracts some of the top talent in the world.

MANAGER:

Fabio Capello. England have hired a no-nonsense foreign manager who has made the Three Lions a side to be feared again. Of course, they were left with little choice after the tenure of Sven-Goran Eriksson and the calamity of Steve McClaren.

KEY PLAYERS:

Whoever they put in goal will have John Terry (Chelsea) in front of him. Next to him will likely be Ledley King (Tottenham), after captain Rio Ferdinand went down with a knee injury during training. King had a great year with Spurs, but has persistent knee problems. Jamie Carragher (Liverpool) is the shock call-up. In midfield, Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) will attempt to forge a successful partnership with Frank Lampard (Chelsea) and further ahead of him, Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) will be key. When he plays well, so do England.

FIFA RANKINGS:

8th. Highest was 4th (2006), lowest was 27th (1996)

FIRST ROUND OPPONENTS:

Slovenia, Algeria, USA

HOW THEY QUALIFIED:

With ease. They finished six points clear in their group, and only lost one game - to Ukraine - after they'd been assured of qualification.

PERCENTAGE CHANCE TO PROGRESS:

100%. Capello's men should have no problem with reaching the latter stages.