Each day between May 10 and the day before the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup on June 11, FoxSoccer.com analyst Jamie Trecker will preview each of the 32 teams playing in South Africa and tell you everything you need to know about each nation represented at the world's greatest sporting event.
Country: England
Nickname: “The Lions” or “Three Lions”
In the 19th century, the British Empire covered fully one-fourth of the planet, introducing the language, customs and practices of Britain around the globe. It was a remarkable achievement for a comparatively small, island society. The Great Britain of the period demonstrated tremendous maritime and military prowess as well as undeniable sophistication and refinement: much of the Western world's philosophy and artistic appreciation was spawned out of and spread by the British Empire.
Today, Britain plays a smaller role in geo-politics as its empire is largely dismantled and its country suffers from geographical isolation. It is also arguably the most influential member of the EU, yet does not use the Euro as its currency.
In soccer, Britain 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, winning just one World Cup, in 1966, the year the country hosted it.
At the club level, internationalization 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 the club level is undeniable, with Manchester United, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest all winning the European Cup and teams such as Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton remaining 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 global influences, the national team too often relies on tactics that have been out-thought and out-moded for well over two decades. In addition, English players often have a rough ride abroad; a toxic combination of social, linguistic and behavioral barriers have hampered all but the truly great English players at overseas clubs.
Finally, England is also hampered by its reputation as dreadful guests. Its fans are notoriously unruly and the average English tourist in Europe is frequently seen as boorish. That said, it must be noted that the fans that traveled to Japan in 2002 were greeted with kindness and admiration by their hosts and acted in kind. The same wasn't always so true in Germany.
This time, England has its best team since they won the World Cup in 1966 and went to Mexico in 1970 with a legitimate chance to repeat. This is perhaps the best opportunity for them to win a World Cup in a generation.
And England, being England, could mess it up in spectacular fashion as they are wont to do. I don't think they will. England may be insufferable, but this is a good team, with a sharp manager. They can reach the finals.
PAST WORLD CUP SUCCESS: The English have only won the World Cup once, in 1966, when they hosted it. They have come tantalizingly close on many 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 match. Twice they have finished third. At the 1968 tournament in Italy, they lost to Yugoslavia, 2-1, in the semifinals and beat the U.S.S.R., 2-0, in the third-place match. At the 1996 tournament on home soil, they fell to Germany on penalty kicks after a 1-1 extra-time draw and, since the consolation match had been shelved, shared third place with France as beaten semifinalists.
LEAGUE OVERVIEW: The British Isles are considered the home of the game itself, and 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 teams such as Manchester United, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Chelsea and Arsenal known worldwide. With enormous resources thanks to wealthy owners and lucrative TV contracts, England attracts some of the top talent in the world. Manchester United and Liverpool have been consistent challengers for the Champions League crown and Arsenal and Chelsea remain among the world's top sides. Chelsea were recently crowned as Premier League champs.
MANAGER: Fabio Capello. England did something unusually sensible: they hired a no-nonsense foreign manager who has made England a professional organization. Of course, they were left with little choice after the debacle that was the tenure of Sven-Goran Eriksson and the calamity of Steve McClaren. That they actually did it -- in a country so prideful in matters of football that the very thought of hiring an Italian was close to heresy -- is an astonishing leap forward. Capello has been brilliant.
KEY PLAYERS: Whoever they put in the pipes (see below) 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 steer the ball up to Frank Lampard (Chelsea) and Wayne Rooney (Manchester United). Rooney is the second-most dominant striker in the Premier League (the first is Chelsea's Didier Drogba, who plays for Ivory Coast). As he goes, so goes England. He's also injury prone. Have we mentioned that, with a couple exceptions, these men are not even the best players on their club teams? Rooney is that exception.
FIFA RANKINGS: 8th. Highest was 4th (2006), lowest was 27th (1996)
FIRST ROUND OPPONENTS: Slovenia, Algeria, and the U.S.
HEAD TO HEAD AGAINST ALGERIA: England has never played Algeria.
HEAD TO HEAD AGAINST SLOVENIA: England has played the Slovenes once, last year in a London friendly. England won out 2-1 in a performance the British media felt was less than impressive.
HEAD TO HEAD AGAINST USA: England has a long, winning history against the USA. In nine games, the English have lost just twice, the most recent coming in a 1993 friendly. The last time the sides met, in Chicago in 2008, England walked to a 2-0 win. The most famous meeting was in the 1950 World Cup when the U.S. stunned England, 1-0.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED: It was a cakewalk. 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%. They are getting out of this group.
TO WATCH: Rooney, of course. But let's talk about the one thing England lacks: A goalkeeper. David James, Rob Green and Joe Hart all have flaws, and whoever gets the nod is going to face a lot of pressure. For all the talent elsewhere, the lack of a man in the nets could prove fatal.
ROSTER
Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham), Joe Hart (Manchester City)
Defenders: Glen Johnson (Liverpool), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa), Michael Dawson (Tottenham)
Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), James Milner (Aston Villa), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Gareth Barry (Manchester City)
Strikers: Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham)
TOMORROW'S TEAM: United States
