England Team Preview

The Players

1 Joe Hart goalkeeper, Manchester City

2 Glen Johnson defender, Liverpool

3 Leighton Baines defender, Everton

4 Steven Gerrard (captain) midfielder, Liverpool

5 Gary Cahill defender, Chelsea

6 Phil Jagielka defender, Everton

7 Jack Wilshere midfielder, Arsenal

8 Frank Lampard midfielder, Chelsea

9 Daniel Sturridge forward, Liverpool

10 Wayne Rooney forward, Manchester United

11 Danny Welbeck forward, Manchester United

12 Chris Smalling defender, Manchester United

13 Ben Foster goalkeeper, West Bromwich Albion

14 Jordan Henderson midfielder, Liverpool

15 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain midfielder, Arsenal

16 Phil Jones defender, Manchester United

17 James Milner midfielder, Manchester City

18 Rickie Lambert forward, Liverpool

19 Raheem Sterling midfielder, Liverpool

20 Adam Lallana midfielder, Southampton

21 Ross Barkley midfielder, Everton

22 Fraser Forster goalkeeper, Celtic

23 Luke Shaw defender, Southampton

Star man

A toss-up between the captain Steven Gerrard, who until a certain stumble was inspirational for Liverpool, or Wayne Rooney, who needs to rediscover his mojo after a quiet season for Manchester United. Both are big-game players for club and country, and cop much more flak than they deserve.

Most likely to be sent home in disgrace
John Terry, after smuggling himself into the cargo hold and turning up for England’s first training session in freshly-ironed kit.
Other than David Beckham, Rooney is the only man to have been sent off twice in an England shirt. He also had a pop at his own fans at the last World Cup, incredulous as they were at the laughable dross served up in a goalless draw against Algeria.

The coach

Roy Hodgson: just one of those regular blokes who takes the Tube and tells jokes at half-time, and hardly ever has to regret it. Occasionally wild of bouffant, Roy Hodgson is often likened to an owl. Not the most flattering lookalike but people are called worse and he is considered a wise old bird after all.

Grudge match

England always fancy a rumble with Germany, though in truth the enmity only really goes one way, especially as the highly amused Germans have lasted longer than the English in every single World Cup since 1966. Argentina are a better bet. The Malvinas and Maradona affairs of the 1980s didn’t help but it’s a rivalry that stretches back to the Antonio Rattín debacle of 66, when Argentina’s captain was sent off in the quarter-finals for “violence of the tongue”, and took the best part of 10 minutes to walk off.

Holed up

England have wisely decided against staying in Copacabana, as they did in 1950 to disastrous, sleep-bothering effect. Instead they’re at Rio’s Royal Tulip. Only four stars, which might raise a well-plucked eyebrow or two, but it suggests pragmatism has won out over luxury. How very Roy.

How they qualified
With great difficulty and much anguish, despite not losing a game and scoring more goals than Spain and France put together.

World Cup high
Geoff Hurst still hasn’t had to buy his own pint since 1966. Roger Hunt probably has, though.

World Cup low
Not qualifying in 1974, 1978 and 1994 was pretty bad, but for nation-defining collapse, you can’t beat the 1-0 defeat to Ellis Island in 1950.

Familiar faces
Take your pick. Wayne, Stevie G, Frank, Welbz …

Title odds: 25/1

The stereotype is …
Pampered, overpaid prima donnas who choke under pressure and boot the ball long at every opportunity.

The reality is …
Pampered, overpaid prima donnas who choke under pressure and boot the ball long at every opportunity.
Then there is the encouraging emphasis on youth, quoting the German model. Although deprived of Theo Walcott and Andros Townsend, Raheem Sterling’s effervescence, and his connection with Daniel Sturridge, fills the void rather handily. Similarly Ross Barkley’s growing maturity and Jordan Henderson’s thrusting performances for Liverpool provide options.

What are they known for?
Bagpuss 38 per cent
Prog rock 35 per cent
The Shipping Forecast 19 per cent
Playing Paul Scholes on the left eight per cent

How Google translates the national anthem (into Portuguese)
Deus salve a nossa rainha gracioso, vida longa a nossa nobre rainha, deus salve a rainha.

Duration
Long enough for some nitwit to shout “No surrender to the IRA”.

How to dress like their fans

Head-to-toe Jacamo for the guys, baggy T-shirt and jeans for the girls. And the odd St George Tribute.

Commentator’s go-to stat
The last man to score for England in a World Cup match? Matthew Upson against Germany, although Frank Lampard was hard done by.