Nickname: The Three Lions
Manager: Fabio Capello
Previous World Cup appearances: 12
Best finish: Winners, 1966
Since winning the tournament in 1966 England have often had talented teams that have failed to live up to their billing. In other years, they've had rather untalented teams, who've been hugely over-hyped and predictably come up short.
The hype that always surrounds the England team can heap pressure on the players and the manager, but there is an inescapable sense that in Fabio Capello the Three Lions have found the footballing wisdom that can unlock their potential.
Exactly how far that potential will take them is another question. This England team possesses bags of ability in attack and in midfield: if there have a weakness then it will surely lie in defence.
Following England's qualification the issue of who would keep goal for the national team remained a major problem area for Capello: the fitness of veteran David James, and the form of the likes of Ben Foster at Manchester United meant the issue was far from settled.
In midfield Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard provide dynamism, drive and goals, with Gareth Barry holding and Aaron Lennon the pacy winger on the right.
In attack, the combative Wayne Rooney is one of the most feared strikers in the world game while no defender will relish playing against the physical bulk of Emile Heskey or the twinkle-toed Jermain Defoe.
Capello has been operating a "two strikes and you're out" policy with his England players after they cruised to qualification for South Africa, and it appears to be working.
The Italian arrived with such an impressive CV - having managed the likes of AC Milan, Real Madrid and the Italian national team - that he commanded instant respect from his players.
Historically England have had a tendency to make heavy weather of getting through any group stage - but if they scrape through, they often raise themselves for the big occasion.
Whether England can retain the ball well enough against the top sides like Brazil and Spain remains to be seen.
They've certainly got the players, the confidence and very importantly, a world-class manager who gives them the confidence to go and perform. There is no reason why they can't make a huge impact on the competition: but whatever happens it is sure to be entertaining.
