Associated Press

Uncertainty still surrounds the future of the erratic Maradona, who has continually juggled his lineup, using around 80 players during his first year in charge.

"They had some problems because they only qualified in the last game. I think there were problems in the style and he changed the team a lot of times with a different first XI," Capello said. "Maradona is not my problem, but Argentina are always a really good team. Argentina are really important for the movement of football around the world because they have players like (Lionel) Messi and a lot of other important players.

"It's always a show when they play and for this reason I think it is good they will be at the World Cup."

As for England's chances, a barometer of the team's progress will be how it performs against Brazil in a friendly next Saturday in Doha, Qatar.

Capello will name the 23-man squad for the Middle East trip on Sunday and striker Michael Owen is again set to miss out despite making the provisional squad following his midweek goal for Manchester United in the Champions League.

"(Playing Brazil) will be important for us to understand where we are," Capello told a media round-table at Wembley Stadium. "It is very important to note the different style that they play. Also we are playing against players at a very high level. This is very, very important. The same problems we will have to face at the World Cup.

"Brazil play like a team now, not waiting for a stroke of genius from one player ... it is not only my imagination that Brazil are one of the best."

While England won nine out of 10 qualifiers, Capello's squad has had mixed results in friendlies against European powers, beating Germany, but losing to 1998 World Cup winner France and European champion Spain, while drawing with the Netherlands.

"It's a different style that we met (each time) and we understand a lot about the different styles against Holland, Germany or France," Capello said. "I think about my team and I analyze the team I have to beat. To win the World Cup you have to beat all the teams.

"We will speak about the French and Argentina but one or two of the African teams will be challengers. Ivory Coast and Ghana are really good and the passion of the South Africans will help their team a lot."