England's international future is in safe hands, despite today's loss to Brazil in the World Cup Quarter Final.

With the current side packed with young players - and a raft of others pushing to get into the Senior squad - The Football Association's aim of winning the World Cup by 2006 still looks on course.

"I think we learnt a lot about many things," said Eriksson immediately after the game in Shizuoka.

"A lot of young players in the squad will be better in two years' time."

With only two players on the pitch older than 30, and just four more in the squad, England had one the youngest average ages in the World Cup.

The experienced core of the team are in their mid twenties, including David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, and Sol Campbell, with Rio Ferdinand, Kieron Dyer, Emile Heskey and Danny Mills all aged between 23 and 25.

The younger age group of senior internationals who have made their mark already include Michael Owen, Wayne Bridge, Ashley Cole, Darius Vassell, Owen Hargreaves and Joe Cole.

Speaking before the match, Eriksson was similarly optimistic about the future.

"I always said that 95% of this team should still be available in two years, even in four years if they are good enough, of course," said the coach.

"The future for English international football is very good.

"We have some players at home who can come in and we have some very good under-21 players, who could be ready in two years' time and certainly in four years."

The man charged with bringing through the next generation, England Under-21 coach David Platt, is also buoyant about the prospects for England over the coming years.

"The future is looking good. People do sometimes get carried away but when you look at what is coming through, then you can be justified in saying that.

"Some positions are always going to be stronger than others, of course they are, but as a whole I think the senior England squad will have some quality players in the years to come.

"The great thing for me is that there are seven or eight youngsters in the current World Cup squad who could have played in the under-21s.

"They are picking up some valuable experience out here and that can only be good for the future."

Platt took charge of the Under-21s in the European Championship Finals in May, and although the team did not get beyond the group stage, there were encouraging performances from many players, including Alan Smith of Leeds and David Dunn of Blackburn.

Further down the age ranges, England's under 20s finished third in last month's Toulon Tournament, and the Under 19s have qualified for their European Championship Finals this Summer.

The Under 17s also finished 3rd in their European Championship Finals a few weeks ago, so the long term future of the England side certainly looks good.