Wayne Rooney has warned his England team-mates they must improve if they are to have any hope of winning next summer's World Cup.

The Manchester United striker, speaking in the 48 hours before England play Brazil in a friendly in Doha, believes that while the national team have made huge improvements under the guidance of Fabio Capello, they are still some way short of challenging the world's best sides.

"Of course we are in with a chance," he said. "But there is a lot of hard work to do yet and there is a lot of improving that we have to do if we are going to win it. Our results have been better in qualification than they have in friendlies.

"We did beat Germany but Brazil are No 1 in the world and this is a massive game for us. We need to play some good football if we are going to win."

The week has been dominated by talk of diving, after David Ngog's tumble at Anfield on Monday, but Rooney says he will not be tempted to go down to win a penalty in Doha.

"As a footballer, I try to be honest," he said. "But there are some times when you go down and it looks worse than it is.

"You might be trying to protect yourself from a defender trying to kick you and are merely trying to get out of the way. On other occasions, it is a blatant dive. You have to try and get the balance right."

Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard are among a number of senior players missing for England, who will be attempting to record only their fourth victory over Brazil.