Coach: Fabio Capello
Key Player: Wayne Rooney
World Ranking: 8
World Cup Record: 12 appearances – winners in 1966
Group C Schedule:
12 June – England v USA
18 June – England v Algeria
23 June – Slovenia v England
Fabio Capello’s England side are genuine World Cup contenders after a qualifying campaign which saw them win nine of their matches.
With Wayne Rooney having a towering season for Manchester United, and with him expected to be fully fit for the finals following a groin injury, expectations will no doubt reach fever pitch for a nation keen to embellish another year other than 1966 into the public consciousness.
John Terry was deposed as captain following revelations that he had an extra-marital affair with the ex-partner of England and former Chelsea team mate Wayne Bridge, who has since made himself unavailable for national selection.
Injuries to David Beckham, who will miss the finals, and Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson and Aaron Lennon hampered coach Fabio Capello's preparations while the inconsistent form of Terry and the late withdrawl of centre-back partner Rio Ferdinand has not helped.
All eyes, however, will be on Rooney. The Liverpudlian struck 34 goals before a spate of injuries affected the end of his season. He expects to have fully recovered from a groin strain, and if he is on form and scoring goals, England could go far. If he is below par, they probably will not.
Capello's side kick-off against the USA a game they should not take lightly against Bob Bradley's improving outfit.
Final Squad:
Goalkeepers: Robert Green (West Ham United), Joe Hart (Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth)
Defenders: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City)
Forwards: Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
