What does Wayne Rooney's playlist tell us about England's World Cup chances?

The England striker has selected the songs that will soundtrack his trip to Brazil

Wayne Rooney will spearhead England's attack in Brazil (Getty Images)

Wayne Rooney, the man that more than anyone carries England's hopes and dreams of World Cup glory, has made a playlist for the tournament in Brazil.

These are the songs that the Manchester United man will be pumping through his over-sized headphones as he steps from the team bus into the Brazilian cauldrons that will host England's games. These are the tracks that could inspire him to run that extra yard or jump that little higher. These songs could lead to the minuscule gains that make the difference between defeat and glory for the Three Lions.

So do the songs, which Rooney describes as "a bit of a mixed bag", tell us much about the psyche of 'Wazza' and give us any clues about his mindset for the tournament ahead?

One possible indication is that Rooney is ready to put himself on the line for the cause in Brazil. After disappointing at every international tournament since he bloomed at his first at Euro 2004, the former Evertonian must be desperate to make an impact and score his first World Cup goal. At least that's what the selection of 'All of Me' by John Legend and 'Giving Myself' by Jennifer Hudson suggest.

A number of songs included in the playlist on Spotify might suggest Rooney is not overly confident of success in Brazil. It'd be understandable, no European team has ever won the competition on South American soil, but even so, the inclusions of 'Stuck in a Rut' by Stereophonics, 'Locked Out Of Heaven' by Bruno Mars and 'Ain't No Sunshine' by Bill Withers might not be the best way to prepare oneself to beat the odds.

Yet there are other tracks with a more positive outlook. In particular 'Happy' by Pharrell Williams and for England fans waiting since 1966 for another triumph at the World Cup, the choice of 'Sigh No More' will be one they hope they can get behind when the tournament draws to a conclusion.

Perhaps Rooney's World Cup playlist can't tell us too much (aside from the fact the United striker has questionable music taste to go with his Stereophonics tattoo). For more clues to how Roy's Boys will get on in Brazil, we may be better off looking to Stephen Hawking.