Roy Hodgson still targeting triumph at 2014 World Cup in Brazil

FA chairman Greg Dyke says winning in Rio is unrealistic

Roy Hodgson has plenty to think about at England Under-21 training yesterday (Getty Images)

England manager Roy Hodgson insists his target remains winning the World Cup in Brazil next year after Football Association chairman Greg Dyke suggested it was a highly unlikely prospect.

Dyke, who delivered a state of the game speech on Wednesday, has set England the challenge of aiming for World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022.

The FA chairman also told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I don't think anyone realistically thinks we are going to win the World Cup in Brazil."

But Hodgson would not be doing his job properly if he had a similar view, and while England are far from certain to qualify for the tournament, the former Liverpool and Inter Milan boss insists they will be aiming for the trophy should they come through the preliminaries.

Sitting alongside captain Steven Gerrard at a press conference ahead of Friday's qualifier against Moldova, Hodgson said: "What bothers me at the moment is not whether we're going to win the World Cup.

"When we're there we'll try to set about winning it.

"I would say I very much doubt if we're on top of bookmakers' list to win the World Cup anywhere in the world at this moment in time.

"Let's first of all qualify and let's try to get better before Brazil comes around, and let's do our best to win it."

Hodgson's focus has to be on the Moldova game, and Tuesday's match against Ukraine.

He was reluctant to discuss Dyke's speech at all.

"Quite honestly as far as Steven and I are concerned, and that goes for the rest of the players, we've only got one focus," he said.

"I'm not suggesting for one minute we shouldn't think about what's good for English football and how the FA can collaborate better with the Premier League. Of course I endorse all of those things.

"But our concern is can we beat Moldova tomorrow night and then can we get the points we need in Ukraine?

"That's all I'm thinking about and all I'm prepared to talk about."

Dyke believes England should be aiming for the semi-finals of Euro 2020 and then targeting a repeat of their 1966 success when Qatar hosts the World Cup for the first time.

"I don't have any thoughts on that," said 66-year-old Hodgson.

"I presume if you're going to give the speech he gave, it's quite intelligent to have some sort of targets.

"I just feel 2022 might be too far in the distance for me anyway."

Gerrard was not prepared to discuss Dyke's call to arms, stressing all his focus would be on getting to Brazil for what would be his third and final World Cup as an England player.

"I don't want to get involved in a worldwide debate about English football. It's not the right time for that," he said.

"Getting to this World Cup is my priority.

"I won't be around for (future) World Cups.

"None of the players are really talking about Greg's speech."

PA