The Football Association has launched the England DNA programme, an initiative to improve the prospects of the national team.

The scheme is loosely based on the models of Germany and Belgium, whose national teams are first and fourth respectively in the FIFA world rankings.

"It's really dangerous to copy another country, but it would be remiss of us not to look at some of the lessons other countries have had," said the FA's director of elite development, Dan Ashworth.

"Certainly two that spring to mind are Belgium and Germany, who have had strong programmes and leadership from their associations, and a clear direction. In that respect it's similar - what we're doing is not the same as those two but we do have a vision."

The DNA programme is based around five key areas - pride in representing England at all levels, playing with a specific philosophy, skills and attributes the "future England player" should possess, and the coaching and support required to meet these conditions.

England manager Roy Hodgson and Under-21s coach Gareth Southgate have both pledged their support to the initiative, which will be unveiled to more than 1,500 coaches over the next few days.