Steven Gerrard believes it will go down as "a waste" if England come home empty-handed from the World Cup - because the next finals will be far harder to win.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's side go to Germany as FIFA's second seeds, behind Brazil, and with the advantage of the finals being staged in a familiar climate.

The recent European Footballer of the Year award saw Gerrard finish third, behind second-placed England team-mate Frank Lampard.

And with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Robinson, David Beckham and Ashley Cole also inked into Eriksson's team, not only is there stability within the national side but also enviable quality.

Adding to the sense of anticipation was last month's 3-2 victory over Argentina, another of the fancied teams for next summer's finals.

"When you beat Argentina like that and play so well, you start to think you can beat anyone," Gerrard told The Independent.

"It is probably the most exciting team there has been at that level for a while. I think it will be such a waste if we go there and fail.

"It all depends on what England side turns up. We've got world-class players in Lampard, Rooney and Owen.

"We've got so many top centre-halves, the best left-back in the world, the experience of Gary Neville.

"The 2010 World Cup will be really difficult in South Africa but this one in Germany will really suit us. We've got to make the most of it."