By Chris Charles

It's not quite the World Cup, is it?

Top British band Kaiser Chiefs have turned down the chance to record England's official World Cup song.

The football-mad five-piece, winners of three Brits, had apparently been attracting support from the FA and were hotly tipped to come up with an anthem for Germany.

But in a statement on their website, the band - named after the first club of former Leeds star Lucas Radebe - said they would not be getting involved.

The message read: "We're flattered about these rumours regarding the England football team's World Cup song, but there's no truth in them, they are just rumours.

"The only writing we'll be doing in the next few months will be for our next album. We have no plans to write the England football team's World Cup song. Sorry to dispel the myth."

Bookies have made Leicester City fans Kasabian the joint 11/4 favourites, along with comedian Peter Kay, to record the patriotic ditty, with Robbie Williams a 6/1 shot and Celebrity Big Brother winner Chantelle the 250/1 outsider.

WORLD CUP SONG CONTENDERS Peter Kay - 11/4 Kasabian - 11/4 Arctic Monkeys - 6/1 Robbie Williams - 6/1 McFly - 10/1 Gorillaz - 12/1 Ordinary Boys - 16/1 Oasis - 16/1 Madonna - 40/1 Chantelle - 250/1

Whoever gets the nod will find it hard to top Skinner and Baddiel's classic Three Lions or New Order's World In Motion - and it could prove to be a poisoned chalice.

Think back to 1998's official World Cup song by Ian McCulloch and the Spice Girls - or even Ant 'n' Dec's effort last time around - both as lightweight as a Steven Gerrard back pass.

In fact, some of the unofficial efforts have stolen the show in the past - particularly Fat Les' Vindaloo and Sven Sven Sven by Bell & Spurling.

Among this year's hopefuls are The Trophy Boyz, who are set to feature most of the 1966 World Cup winning team in the video for their song Name On The Cup.

The band, who previously enjoyed a minor hit with Du The Dudek, hope to have a success on their hands by penning lyrics like: "With Owen and Rooney, who needs a back four? We'll bend it like Beckham and lift it like Moore."

Then there's the news that everyone has been waiting for - John Barnes is coming out of retirement to rap on a World Cup song written by the winner of a radio station competition.

Kanye West must be quaking in his boots.