Sven-Goran Eriksson dreams of meeting England in World Cup finals

Ivory Coast's new coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is excited at being made in charge of the team for the football World Cup and dreams of meeting England in the final.

Former England and Manchester City manager Eriksson is confident the class of players in the Ivory Coast squad can see them qualify from the toughest group and make a real impact.

Brazil, Portugal and North Korea are Ivory Coast's rivals in Group G and, if they do qualify, they may also have to face Spain in the first knockout phase.

"I am extremely happy and excited. Ivory Coast is a good football nation with a lot of good players," the Daily Express quoted Eriksson, as saying.

"It will not be easy but Ivory Coast, with all their talents, can get through the group," he said.

"It would be a great match if we could meet England - and hopefully in the final," Eriksson added.