Walcott: Can England win Euro 2016? Why not!

Theo Walcott sees no reason why England cannot win Euro 2016 next summer after becoming the first team to qualify for the competition on Saturday.

A routine 6-0 win over San Marino secure Roy Hodgson & Co.'s place in France, with the Arsenal forward scoring twice inside 10 minutes of his introduction as a second-half substitute.

England have failed to reach a semi-final of a major tournament since Euro 1996 and suffered their worst ever showing at a World Cup two years ago, but Walcott has faith in the current crop of players.

"I think this team is getting better and better, and that's what we want to do going into the tournament next year," he told reporters. "We've gone a long way towards that, so I am sure things are going to improve.

"There are big tests for us, but I believe in that dressing room. We are playing in the best league in the world, we're improving every day, the players are playing at the top of their game.

"It'll definitely be a big achievement if we can go far. I am sure that we can. The manager has got that in our system, that he believes in us. The belief is there, the confidence is there, so why not?"

Wayne Rooney's opening penalty saw him draw level with England's top goalscorer Sir Bobby Charlton on 49 goals for his country and Walcott says the captain has similar belief in the Three Lions' younger stars.

Walcott added: "What can you say? Wayne has been doing it for years. It just shows how established he is as an England international and at Manchester United. He's so good in the dressing room, he's a winner.

In training, he always wants to win - never wants to lose. He just wants to improve and improve this team. He has belief in this dressing room that this young talent can actually go on and do something special."