Despite England heading into the World Cup 2014 as rank outsiders to win the tournament, manager Roy Hodgson says that it will be wrong to write of the 1966 winners. England have not lifted a major tournament since this victory, which was achieved in home soil. They have also not been past the quarter-final stage in recent major tournaments.

Past history, though, will not count for the World Cup 2014 according to Roy Hodgson, who recently took over the regime from Fabio Capello. He managed to reach the expectations during the Euro 2012, and it seems that the expectations have not increased ahead of this major tournament.

England are usually regarded as one of the favourites or underdogs to win the title, but that is not the case this time around. After their consistent failures at major tournaments, it seems that the public are not willing to back England for the title. Hodgson, though, says that England should not be written off due to the fact that the players can step up any moment. The nation will be heading into the tournament with a right mixture of young and experienced players.

Hodgson has praised those young players like Jack Wilshere, who are expected to replace the likes of Steven Gerrard in the next few years.

"I definitely don't think that we are favourites to win the tournament but I also refuse to believe we need to be written off. If these players can achieve what we see them achieve sometimes, then we have a chance. I feel good. I've enjoyed working with the players over the last two years. I've every confidence in them. It is nice to see that there are a lot of good young players coming through," said Hodgson.

England have been given a tough group at the World Cup, as they face Italy and Uruguay in the group stages.