Factbox: England

Colours: White shirts, white shorts, white socks

Nickname: Three Lions

Previous World Cup appearances: (12) 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1998, 2002, 2006

Best World Cup performance: Winners 1966

Coach: Fabio Capello

Most capped player: Peter Shilton 125

Top goalscorer: Bobby Charlton 49

Squad:

12-Robert Green (West Ham United). Goalkeeper. Born Jan. 18 1980. Caps 10. Goals 0.
Became the first England goalkeeper to be sent off when he was red-carded against Ukraine last October, the only match England lost in qualifying. Started at Norwich City and despite a difficult club season with West Ham has moved above David James in the pecking order.

1-David James (Portsmouth). Goalkeeper. Born Aug. 1 1970. Caps 50. Goals 0.
Although nearly 40, he is still capable of making superb reflex saves and still prone to making the kind of mistakes that earned him the nickname "Calamity James". Many still regard him as England's best keeper and he could well figure in South Africa. Became the oldest goalkeeper to play in an FA Cup final last month.

23-Joe Hart (Manchester City). Goalkeeper. April 19 1987. Caps 3. Goals 0.
Has spent the season on loan at Birmingham City and a series of excellent performances helped them to a 15-match unbeaten run. Looks set to be England's No.1 in the not too distant future.

6-John Terry (Chelsea). Defender. Born Dec. 7 1980. Caps 60. Goals 6.
Has endured a traumatic season off the field but a largely successful one on it, leading Chelsea to an FA Cup and League double, even though his own form dipped at times. Was removed as England captain by coach Fabio Capello after an extra-marital affair with the ex-partner of England and former Chelsea team mate Wayne Bridge.

5-Michael Dawson (Tottenham Hotspur). Defender. Born Nov. 18, 1983. Caps 0. Goals 0.
The only uncapped player in the final 23 after an outstanding season at Spurs. Has a great understanding with Ledley King but was only given his chance as a replacement for Rio Ferdinand who was ruled out a week before the tournament was to start with a knee injury.

20-Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur). Defender. Born Oct. 12 1980. Caps 20. Goals 2.
An arthritic knee has curtailed his club and international careers but now stands to take over alongside Terry in central defence following Ferdinand's untimely injury. He has played more times than Ferdinand this season, without training in between games.

3-Ashley Cole (Chelsea). Defender. Born Dec. 20 1980. Caps 78. Goals 0.
Like his club and national team mate Terry, Cole has had a torrid few months with well-publicised marital problems making front-page headlines and a broken ankle threatening his place in the finals. Returned to the Chelsea side after recovering fitness just before the end of the season and on his day is still an outstanding left-back. Won a record sixth FA Cup winner's medal when he helped Chelsea to victory over Portsmouth on May 15.

15-Matthew Upson (West Ham United). Defender. Born April 18 1979. Caps 19. Goals 1.
Wholehearted, resolute defender who made his debut for England seven years ago but has never established himself as a regular starter ahead of Terry and Ferdinand. Another dependable understudy, albeit with a lack of mobility that can be exposed on international duty.

2-Glen Johnson (Liverpool). Defender. Born Aug. 23 1984. Caps 22. Goals 1.
First-choice right back whose defensive qualities are sometimes overshadowed by his energy and athleticism going forward. Began at West Ham United before winning the Premier League at Chelsea and the FA Cup with Portsmouth prior to a move to Liverpool. Now recovered from a knee injury which sidelined him for three months between December and March.

13-Steven Warnock (Aston Villa). Defender. Born Dec. 12 1981. Caps 1. Goals 0.
Dependable left-back whose England career so far consists of an eight-minute appearance as a substitute against Trinidad & Tobago in June 2008. Formerly at Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers, his solid performances for Villa this season led to him being included in the squads for recent friendlies against Brazil and Egypt.

18-Jamie Carragher (Liverpool). Defender. Born Jan. 28 1978. Caps 36. Goals 0.
Agreed to end his international retirement which he began in 2007 as he was frustrated at being called up but not playing. Not had the greatest of seasons at Liverpool, but still a first-rate defender.

8-Frank Lampard (Chelsea). Midfielder. Born June 20 1978. Caps 78. Goals 20.
Brilliant all-rounder who combines great short and long passing with a remarkable eye for goal for both club and country. Although he will be 32 during the World Cup, he has had an outstanding season with Chelsea winning the Double and there are no signs that his star is on the wane. Missed a penalty in a warm-up game against Japan on May 30.

4-Steven Gerrard (Liverpool). Midfielder. Born May 30 1980. Caps 80. Goals 16.
Although has had a patchy season in a below-par Liverpool side, he is still a towering presence on his day. Still an enigma for England, although Capello appears to have got more out of him than previous managers by starting him on the left, even though he prefers a more central role. His loyalty to his home-town club has so far cost him the chance of a League title.

14-Gareth Barry (Manchester City). Midfielder. Born Feb. 23 1981. Caps 36. Goals 2.
Almost 10 years after making his England debut, Barry has finally become a regular starter in the national team under Capello although his participation in the finals has been in doubt due to an ankle injury. He incurred the wrath of Aston Villa fans when he made a big-money move to Manchester City last year.

7-Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur). Midfielder. Born April 16 1987. Caps 17. Goals 0.
Made an outstanding start to the season as Spurs settled among the front-runners in the Premier League, but a groin injury in December sidelined him for almost four months. Has returned to fitness and England should benefit from his blistering pace down either wing.

11-Joe Cole (Chelsea). Midfielder. Born Nov. 8 1981. Caps 54. Goals 10.
Despite his natural trickery and his goal-scoring ability, has endured an erratic season in and out of the Chelsea side and has not played for England since their 4-1 win in Croatia in September 2008. Has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge after the World Cup which might be the catalyst to him reviving his career.

22-Michael Carrick (Manchester United). Midfielder. Born July 28 1981. Caps 22. Goals 0.
Cultured rather than aggressive in the holding midfield role, Carrick rates highly for vision and passing skills, but after losing his place in the United side towards the end of the season, may have to be content with a place on the bench in South Africa.

16-James Milner (Aston Villa). Midfielder. Born Jan. 4 1986. Caps 8. Goals 0.
Despite being 24, and having spent eight seasons in the top flight with Leeds United, Newcastle United and Villa, he was named the Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year in April, an indication that the best is yet to come from the powerful, hard-working Yorkshireman who has flourished in the centre of midfield for Villa this season.

17-Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City). Midfielder. Born Oct. 25 1981. Caps 31. Goals 6.
Scored against Belarus and Egypt in successive matches at Wembley this season, but more typically provides chances for others thanks to his pace and crossing abilities. Enjoying a second spell back at Manchester City after his career appeared to stall at Chelsea.

10-Wayne Rooney (Manchester United). Forward. Born Oct. 24 1985. Caps 60. Goals 25.
The state of Rooney's health always makes headlines and the latest worry is a groin strain but he says he will be fully recovered by June. With him in the team England have a realistic hope of making the later stages; without him, their chances diminish greatly. Scored a season-best total of 34 goals for United and was named both the PFA and Football Writers' Player of the Year.

9-Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur). Forward. Born Jan. 30 1981. Caps 38. Goals 21.
Despite being two metres tall and towering over most defenders, Crouch is more than just a target man, although he naturally offers his team that option. Seventeen of his England goals have come in only 18 starts, the other four as a substitute and he is most likely to appear in that role in South Africa.

19-Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur). Forward. Born Oct. 7 1982. Caps 40. Goals 11.
Has been in superb form this season after returning to Tottenham from Portsmouth and his fine understanding with Crouch, with whom he also played at Pompey, can benefit England. An out-and-out goalscorer, Defoe has combined well with Rooney but might be another brought on later in the game when goals are needed rather than being in the starting line-up.

21-Emile Heskey (Aston Villa). Forward. Born Jan. 11 1978. Caps 58. Goals 7.
Looks like a centre-forward, built like a centre-forward, but does not score goals like one. If he was in the team for his scoring prowess, he would not have lasted long as seven goals in 58 matches is a poor return but he works hard and generally effectively as a foil for Rooney or Defoe.

*** Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United). Defender. Born Nov. 7 1978. Caps 76. Goals 3.
England captain Rio Ferdinand was ruled out of the World Cup after suffering a knee injury in training.