Boasting some of Europe's and the world's finest players, England enters the 2006 World Cup in search of a title for the first time in 40 years.

With plenty of soccer history, England has always been considered a threat, but has failed to earn a World Cup title since Bobby Moore lifted the trophy in front of thousands of English fans in 1966.

A lot has changed since then, as England prepares for 2006 after four decades of near misses and disappointments. With 11 World Cup appearances under their belts, English players from past and present have given the world some of its finest soccer.

Since the 1966 crown, England has only made it as far as the semifinals in the 1990 tournament. In 2002, the team was eliminated from the tournament in the quarterfinals.

Leading up to 2006, head coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has a fresh new squad filled with young and old players ready to compete in this year's finals.

Eriksson's squad struggled at the start of the qualifying stages with a 2-2 draw with Austria. Following the draw, England won its next six matches, and overall, posted a record of eight wins and one draw in 10 matches. The impressive record was enough to secure England the first place spot in Group 6 and a position in the World Cup.

Leading up to the tournament, England has a roster filled with some of the world's most well known players, including Sol Campbell, Steven Gerrard, David Beckham and Frank Lampard.

Much of the team includes players from the Premiership, including Manchester United's Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville. Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea are also among those teams with the most players called up to play in the World Cup.

Rooney, who was injured in early May in a league game against Chelsea, is expected to eventually make a World Cup appearance. Rooney suffered a fracture to his right foot, but has since continued to train for a chance at playing on Eriksson's squad.

The coach also surprised many of the England faithful when he named 17-year- old Arsenal striker Theo Walcott. The striker, who has yet to play in a Premiership match, is known for his speed and could make a name for himself in this year's tournament.

From the back to the front, Paul Robinson will most likely serve United in the back of the net. Defensively, England will look to strong starts from veterans Neville, Campbell and Wayne Bridge. The midfield can look no further than Lampard, who recently helped Chelsea to its second-consecutive league title.

In the front line, Walcott may go along nicely with the experience of Peter Crouch and Michael Owen. If and when Rooney is available, the English front line will benefit greatly from his speed and aggressive play. Rooney is considered by many to be one of England's best young talents who boasts an already impressive resume.

Drawn into Group B, England opens the tournament on June 10 against Paraguay. England will then face group opponents Trinidad & Tobago, which is making its first World Cup appearance, and Sweden.

Significant past players:

Gary Lineker, Peter Shilton, Kevin Keegan, Gordon Banks, Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore, Stanley Matthews, Billy Wright

Achievements:

-- Quarterfinal 1954 FIFA World Cup Switzerland

-- Quarterfinal 1962 FIFA World Cup Chile

-- Champion 1966 FIFA World Cup England

-- 4th 1990 FIFA World Cup Italy

-- 3rd UEFA European Championship Italy 1968

-- Semifinal UEFA European Championship England 1996