For all the public pressure the Socceroos have worn during this World Cup, midfielder Tim Cahill says it could be worse.

They could be England.

As one of the pre-tournament fancies continue to unravel publicly after two indifferent group match performances and daily tabloid beatings, Cahill has urged England's critics to ease up and get behind the team to help them through to the next stage.

There they could meet Australia - both groups crossing over at the round of 16.

But while the Socceroos need results to go their way to advance, England are also struggling.

A group most expected them to waltz through has proved far from easy, with a 1-1 draw with the United States followed by a pedestrian 0-0 draw with Algeria.

Throw in an England fan breaching security to get into the team's dressing room and heap abuse on injured star David Beckham, and talk of squad unrest, it has been a nightmarish tournament so far.

"They're one of the most expensive teams in the world and they're struggling to win a game," said Everton midfielder Cahill, who has spent more than a decade playing and living in England.

"It's a great example to show how difficult it is (at the World Cup).

"The amount of pressure we get given ... I can't imagine the amount of pressure they're under.

"America's a good team, Slovenia's a good team, they're playing one of the best African nations (Algeria).

"People need to be a bit more educated on how good the teams are they're playing against."

Cahill said he was hoping England could advance to the round of 16, and admitted he would relish the chance to play them in the second stage.

"But first we've got to beat Serbia," Cahill said of the Socceroos' must-win clash in Nelspruit on Wednesday (Thursday AEST).

England are taking no chances, with assistant coach Stuart Pearce watching the Socceroos' 1-1 draw with Ghana to compile a report on two sides who could be their round of 16 opponents.

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