The following article was written by Peter Swallow, you can follow Peter on Twitter@ccfooty.
From midway through the 19th century the world saw a remarkable and unprecedented occurrence – a small island in Northern Europe became the world’s foremost global superpower.
For a relatively brief part of human history Britain not only ruled the waves but the entire world. On Saturday England will embark on their latest campaign since the success of 1966, when they bossed the world of football.
Since 1966 not only has the overall quality of football improved, but so has participation in the beautiful game. Teams from Africa and Asia are no longer the guarantors of three points, the willing forgoers of victories.
Yet largely due to past glories England remain potential winners of nearly every tournament in which they participate.
This time, however, expectations are uncharacteristically low in regards to a successful showing. Nearly every England fan can give you a different reason why the Three Lions will not only fail to lift the famous trophy, but will fall flat on their collective faces.
Escape from Group D would in many fans’ estimations be a good achievement. Yet even this seems a daunting task. The group comprises of Euro 2012 finalists Italy, Copa America champions and fourth-place finishers at the 2010 World Cup Uruguay, and CONCACAF qualifiers Costa Rica.
Three points this weekend would see England catapulted into a strong position, but many feel the Azzurri remain the favourites. But while Roy Hodgson’s men were held to a demoralising 0-0 draw by Honduras, Italy’s 5-3 win against Fluminense suggested they are vulnerable at the back.
It demonstrated their inability to cope with a side that attacks them with pace and in a direct manner, while being pressed high.
Should the worst case scenario become reality and England lose in Manaus hope is not yet relinquished. Uruguay are a side in slow decline, a large proportion of the team who caused a sensation in 2010 seem far less deadly now and while both Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez remain potent threats to the English backline, Hodgson can realistically claim to having the stronger, more talented squad.
Costa Rica are a potential banana skin. Taken seriously, they should provide England considerable problems.
Navigating the early stages of the competition would be enough for most fans. With wholesale, drastic changes to the domestic game are already being discussed, a good tournament would provide a real shot in the arm for a nation feeling sorry for itself.
Ultimately low expectations are designed to be a barrier against the heartache of bitter underachievement, yet they also inflate the sense of achievement.
With that philosophy in mind, success this summer is more applicable to scaling Ben Nevis than Mount Everest.