For the first time in a long while, England head into a major tournament under less pressure from the entire nation but can that help them to spring a major surprise in Brazil this summer?

On paper it appears the Three Lions will face a struggle to progress from Group D where they’re paired with 2006 winners Italy, who knocked them out on penalties at Euro 2012, Uruguay who finished fourth in South Africa four years ago and a Costa Rica side which qualified for the finals as runners-up to USA.

Qualification was obtained with relative ease for Roy Hodgson’s side after expected victories over San Marino and Moldova. Their passage to Brazil was sealed with a 2-0 win over Poland in October last year.

But draws against the more decent teams in the group does highlight the fact that they will need to raise their level before the opener fixture against the Italians on June 14.

A defeat last November against Chile was followed up with another loss four days later against a Germany B-side.

While the results improved with a 1-0 victory over Denmark at Wembley earlier in the year, the performance failed to follow suit, prompting Martin Olsen to sarcastically wish Hodgson and the team much-needed luck ahead of the competition.

The former Liverpool manager will take part in his second World Cup, 20 years on from his first as Switzerland boss and he sprang a shock in his 23-man squad this time round with the omission of Chelsea left back Ashley Cole.

With a defence that is already lacking previous experience at a World Cup, leaving out the 33-year-old is a massive call from Hodgson as is the decision to include highly rated Southampton defender Luke Shaw whom has just the one senior cap to his name.

One positive note on the squad is the inclusion of Ross Barkley and Adam Lallana in particular who have both been rewarded for impressive seasons at club level with Everton and the Saints respectively.

Another reason to be positive for fans is the form of Liverpool trio Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge, who were all instrumental in the Reds’ brilliant season that almost brought a first league title to Anfield in over 20 years.

Should Hodgson stray from his usual cautious approach and give the three the platform to replicate their club form in south America then anything is possible for England.

A build-up to a tournament for the Three Lions wouldn’t be the same without injury or fitness worries and this year is no different with issues surrounding Jack Wilshere and Wayne Rooney.

The Arsenal midfielder managed two subsitute appeances in the final two games of the season after recovering from an ankle injury picked up playing for England against Denmark while Rooney hasn’t featured for Manchester United since the 4-0 win over Norwich City towards the end of April.

The forward will be desperate to deliver on the grandest stage of them all.

Verdict: I just can’t see England winning either match against Italy or Uruguay therefore they won’t be finishing in the top two.