In an interview published on the League Managers Association website, England's Coach and President of the Association Sven-Goran Eriksson appeared confident about England's chances of winning the Trophy, 40 years after the glorious 1966 World Cup.

"The fans have dreamt about it for nearly 40 years and a lot of people now think we might have a chance to win something," the Swede manager said.

"It's extremely difficult to win a World Cup. That's why England haven't been doing it. England have got to one final, which they won at home, and one semi-final, so it's very difficult. But all our players saw what happened when England won the 2003 Rugby World Cup."

Eriksson said he expected England to qualify for the World Cup, but everyone remembers the time before the last three Qualifying, when things were not positive for the team. He also spoke about England's appearances in the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan and the Euro 2004 Tournament in Portugal.

"I'm extremely happy that we will play in this World Cup. The first half of the job is done and the second half is in Germany next summer. I always expected England to qualify, absolutely."

"England should be at every World Cup and European Championship. I think that is a must," Sven said.

The Swedish manager said that the team is between the 6 teams most likely to be in the finals and hinted that if no unexpected problems occur and with a bit of luck the team has a good chance of lifting the trophy.

"I hope they are right! I think we are one of six or seven teams who could win it. England are at the same level as teams like Argentina, Brazil, Holland, Italy, Germany and France."

"Then you also need a little bit of luck; no injuries and penalty shoot-outs are all-important. We have a very good team."

"We were knocked out of the last World Cup in the quarter-final against Brazil when we had been leading 1-0. But we conceded a goal on the counter-attack and they scored a very strange goal to win 2-1. Brazil went on to win the World Cup."

"Then, two years later, we were knocked out of EURO 2004 on penalties by Portugal, also in the quarter-finals. In both cases, the difference between England and Brazil, then Portugal, was very little, maybe nothing."

"But we are better now... much better. I would say England now have a team with good players who have the right experience, and that's why I think we have a chance to win the 2006 World Cup."

Referring to the reasons why the England national football team has not won anything in recent tournaments, Sven hinted that this time the team will prepare better because they will have one extra week to train and relax before the tournament. In Euro 2004 and World Cup 2002 England had only three weeks of training after the end of the premiership.

When asked about which other teams he considers as favourites to win the Trophy, Eriksson said that Germany, Argentina, Holland, Italy and France are strong teams.

The Swede manager praised Beckham's football skills and rejected any speculation for a different player to become captain.

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