Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari feels England are a strong team and hopes that they will be part of the 2014 World Cup.

His comments came after his side played to a 2-2 draw in an international friendly at the newly re-opened Maracana in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.

Scolari, though, while admitting having England at the World Cup would make it a better event, he knows qualifying in Europe can be extremely difficult.

"I hope England come to the World Cup. When I spoke to Roy I said I hope to see you at the World Cup and that we will meet again," said Scolari.

"But we know in Europe that is difficult, much more difficult than qualifying in South America where we have four or five from 10 teams.

"England are an excellent team who are well-organised but will be facing some difficulties to be the first in their group.

"In a group where you have 10 games if you make a mistake in one or two games you might have a problem to qualify automatically and you might have to go to the play-offs. I had this problem with Portugal.

"England are very good but they have to be very careful."