Former England defender Stuart Pearce has urged Roy Hodgson's players to do the country proud when they head to the "spiritual home of football" for this summer's World Cup.
Hodgson will name his provisional squad for the finals in Brazil on 12 May, just over a month before England's opening Group D fixture against four-time World Champions Italy in Manaus.
And Pearce, who wore the Three Lions armband 10 times during his 78-cap international career and represented his country at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, believes Hodgson's group should make the most of what will be a "special" event in South America.
He said: "With the World Cup being in Brazil, it seems that little bit special.
"In England we claim to have invented the game, but I think in some ways Brazil is the spiritual home of football, the beautiful game.
"I never played in South America over my international career which spanned 12 years, so I think for anyone in the squad it's a fantastic opportunity to play their football there and just enjoy it really.
"Hopefully they will do the country proud."
The former England Under-21 Coach will return to management in July at former club Nottingham Forest, where he spent 12 years as a player, but he reserved praise for his time working with The FA.
Pearce added: "People are quite aware that I am very passionate about this country, so I was very proud to have worked for The FA for 12 years, to have an office at Wembley and to represent England.
"Then to finish with England and have the opportunity to go to a club that stirs up the same passion, it excites me greatly."
