By Bryn Palmer BBC Sport Online

England's offical World Cup anthem will be just one contender for fans' musical attention.

England's official World Cup song

Former England coach Terry Venables and old hands Fat Les head the contenders in a race for the number one spot that will be as fiercely contested as the tournament itself.

But will any of them prove a worthy successor to a long line of tiresome anthems inflicted on the nation every four years?

World Cup songs from yesteryear

Here, BBC Sport Online assesses the prospects for the latest crop of would-be chart-toppers.

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Terry Venables

El Tel's legendary penchant for trying his hand at just about anything seems certain to lead to a first brush with pop stardom.

We knew he had a voice on him and he didn't disappoint Rider's Nick Keynes on Venables

The former England boss and TV pundit has recorded a double A-side called England Crazy catering for every supporter's tastes.

Written by up-and-coming band Rider, and due out next month, one side is a Frank Sinatra 'swing' version with a big-band style accompaniment.

The other is more of a 'terrace' version more suitable for chanting, with a chorus of "We're all going England Crazy - all right, it's all right."

Rider basist Nick Keynes gives the Cockney crooner the thumbs up. "Terry's a born star, a real natural," he said.

"We knew he had a voice on him and he didn't disappoint."

Allen's 'Vindaloo' went down well in 1998

Venables did sing at the Hammersmith Palais as a teenager, but will be hoping for better fortune than on his first foray into the pop business.

He recorded 'What Do You want To Make Those Eyes at Me For?' in 1974, but it failed to make the charts.

At least the video, where Tel will team up with Des Lynam and Paul Gascoigne and ride on a red bus around Trafalgar Square, should be a hoot.

'Sven Sven Sven' could be a common refrain

Originally released last October in the wake of England's 5-1 win over Germany, the ditty is a light-hearted tribute to the England coach.

The catchy chorus line, lest you forget, goes: "Sven, Sven Sven Goran Eriksson. "He's a lovely geezer, but don't forget that he's from Swe-den."

It also includes an amusing dig at some players, telling David Seaman: "Your hair is a right old state, All you need is a Mark One Escort and a sovereign ring, mate."

Weller's classic No 1 will be re-released

Another intriguing World Cup contender is Miss England Sally Kettle, who hopes to release a 'feel-good mix of pop and dance' called 'This is England'.

Apparently Miss Kettle bears almost all on the CD cover wearing a saucy St George's flag outfit.

"It's about England living the dream and not losing it," said the 19-year-old Leicester lass.

Brit group Svengland are also hoping to release their version of the 1982 World Cup classic This Time (We'll get it Right), overlaid with samples of John Motson's commentary from England's Munich triumph.

All of which makes Anastacia's official FIFA World Cup song Boom seem rather tame by comparison.