Gary Lineker: If you had asked me about England six months ago, I would have said that I honestly think we are going to really struggle just to get past the group stage.
But, in the last few months, we have seen this pool of young talent emerge - some exciting players that take people on. That gives me a little bit of hope that we could do all right.
If we got to the quarter-finals, I think that would be a really good performance but, if the manager Roy Hodgson lets the players go and gives them wings, we could be quite exciting. We might not do that well in terms of progression right through the tournament but we could certainly give us some kind of hope for the future.
Chris Waddle: The conditions are against England because one thing England sides don't like is the heat and humidity, and I think there is going to be a lot of that. I honestly think if we can get out of our group, then we have done well.
Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer: Expectations are not huge, which could help us, and I like the look of our squad. It is exciting - it has a bit of youth in it and a bit of experience.
Wayne Rooney needs to have a big tournament for people to speak about him in the same terms as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and if he does do that I think England will be successful.
I think the starting XI nearly picks itself. In England's first game against Italy, I would start with Joe Hart in goal and Glen Johnson, Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines at the back.
Alan Shearer's England team to play Italy Alan Shearer's England team to play Italy
I would have Steven Gerrard and then either Jordan Henderson or Jack Wilshere, depending on Wilshere's fitness, in front of the back four.
The three in front of them would be Adam Lallana, Wayne Rooney and Raheem Sterling, with Daniel Sturridge at the top of that.
I think we can get to the quarter-finals and at a push we could get to a semi-final, but what people want to see is some progress and for the youngsters to be given a chance.
Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand: I know from past tournaments that, when you play for England, you try to keep expectation to a minimum because people get carried away very easily. This time, the expectation seems to be the right level - people are just hoping we do well.
This is a good chance to see the next generation of England players coming through and seeing whether they have really got what it takes at the top level. Reaching the quarter-finals would be a good step.
England are World Cup rookies
Only six of England's 23 players - Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Joe Hart, James Milner, Glen Johnson and Steven Gerrard - have previously been in a World Cup finals squad
Phil Neville: I think England will do really well. A lot of the England players going to the World Cup haven't been to a major tournament before so they haven't been scarred by failure.
Hodgson has done a fantastic job of evolving the team. We have got some young players who are coming to this tournament with no fear and they are ready to ignite.
Robbie Savage: I don't think England will get beaten but I don't see them getting out of their group. They will beat Costa Rica but so will everybody else and, depending on goal difference, draws against Italy and Uruguay might not be enough to put them through.
Danny Mills
Danny Mills: If England can get out of their group then the last 16, where they are likely to face Colombia or Ivory Coast from Group C, does not look too bad. After that, it gets difficult and we are thrown in with the big boys - possibly Brazil, Netherlands, Spain or even Chile in the last eight.
Making the quarter-finals would be successful, to go beyond that would be an outside bet to say the least.
Danny Murphy
Danny Murphy: We will get out of the group stages, I am really positive about that. We have an abundance of attacking talent now and energetic and talented players who can go into games against Italy and Uruguay with a confidence and spring in their step after playing so well in the Premier League last season.
With a bit of luck in the last 16, we could get through to the quarter-finals. That would be a real success, and fantastic experience for the young lads to hold them in good stead for future tournaments.
England in Group D
14 June: v Italy, Manaus
19 June: v Uruguay, Sao Paulo
24 June: v Costa Rica, Belo Horizonte
Martin Keown: I don't think we should get too caught up in how far we are going to go. It is our first group game against Italy that could decide whether we get out of the group. Win and you think how positive it will be for the players - lose, and our next opponents Uruguay become the team we have to finish above, so the games just get bigger and bigger.
Brad Friedel: England are well positioned. Their attacking flair is something they haven't had in previous World Cups. Joe Hart is a outstanding goalkeeper and they have a solid defence. If they can get off to a good start in their first game against Italy, you never know where that can take them.
Pat Nevin: I would not say they will definitely do it but England are good enough to get out their group and, if they do, they are capable of beating whoever they play from Group B in the last 16.
If they reach the quarter-finals and lose, then I think most people will think that they have done as well as can be expected.
Jason Roberts
Jason Roberts: The likes of Adam Lallana, Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley have the talent to change games by themselves.
Because of the attacking players England have, I see them as potentially being the tournament's surprise package.
