England entered the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 1950 and since then have featured in twelve of the past fifteen tournaments. England have played in the 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1998, 2002 and 2006. England failed to qualify for the 1974, 1978 and 1994 tournaments.

England have won the World Cup on one previous occasion, this was 1966 when the tournament was hosted in England. England reached the semi final of the Italian World Cup of 1990. England have also reached the quarter finals in 1954, 1962, 1970, 1986, 2002 and 2006.

Gary Lineker was the leading scorer of the Mexico 1986 World Cup with a tally of 6 goals. Lineker also leads all England World Cup goalscorers with 10 goals in total. The biggest English legend is Geoff Hurst who scored a hat-trick (3 goals) in England's 4-2 win versus West Germany in 1966. Hurst is still the only ever player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final. England have been knocked out of the World Cup in penalty shoot-outs in 3 out of the last 4 tournaments that England have competed in.

The game of Soccer originated in England in 1863 with the foundation of the Football Association.http://www.all-soccer-info.com/ The English FA Premiership is the most lucrative and watched soccer league in the world.http://www.showtimetickets.com/sports/soccer/european-soccer/english-premier-league/ Many analysts and fans of England say that the countries records is very poor in the World Cup, especially given the rich history and quality of players the country can choose from.

England qualified with ease for the World Cup winning 9 and losing 1 game and securing 27 of a maximum 30 points.http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/europe/matches/team=43942/index.html The recruitment of a foreign team manager in Italian Fabio Capello had proven controversial but the excellent record to date means he has been accepted by England fans.

Most English fans are optimistic entering the tournament due to previous good form but also due to what many consider is a kind draw. England have drawn USA, Slovenia and Algeria and this draw by most English fans and press alike is said to be "easy".http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1233265/World-Cup-2010-draw-England-easy-ride-face-USA-Algeria-Slovenia.html

England have what many would regard as world class players in the squad going into the tournament. Players like Wayne Rooney, Steve Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand as examples are all classed as world class players. The English players all play at top class professional clubs from England or the best leagues in the world.

Conditions going into the tournament are fine for the England squad. The tournament is in the middle of the South African winter and conditions are said to be similar to play in to English conditions.

England have some off the field troubles going into the World Cup. John Terry and Ashley Cole have both been involved in sex scandals, involving cheating on their wives.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/england/7348096/World-Cup-2010-Fabio-Capello-warns-England-players-over-their-private-lives.html England also have a couple of serious injury blows. Ashley Cole is doubtful for the tournament with a broken left ankle.http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/patrick_barclay/article7025476.ece Sporting icon and major team influencer David Beckham has already been ruled out of the World Cup with an Achilles Tendon injury. Beckham looks like to still go to the World Cup though as a Team Ambassador and at the personal request of Manager, Fabio Capellohttp://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article7069315.ece

Many observers of the game have the view that England has a poor record in the world cup and the team will be keen to make amends for this in 2010.