Michael Vaughan's men will travel to the Caribbean next month on the back of three successive one-day international wins over world champions Australia.
Two-time World Cup winner Richards said: "Ever since they beat Australia you would think England have a chance.
"But I don't believe their one-day team is as good as they do. They might have got a tired Australia team in the end."
Before their wins over the Aussies, two of which came in the finals of the tri-series, England had lost 24 of their previous 33 ODIs.
Former Windies skipper Richards, who scored 6,721 runs in 187 one-dayers at an average of 47, has been impressed by their revival and says they could shock some of the more fancied teams.
"It's going to be interesting because England have taken some knocks about their one-day team and proved a lot of people wrong and they could do it again," he continued.
Viv Richards playing in a recent beach cricket tournament in Australia
No team has ever hosted a World Cup and won it - we stand a very good chance
Richards on the Windies
"Any one of eight teams could be competitive - there are eight good ones at the tournament."
Richards was part of the West Indies side that won the inaugural World Cup in 1975 and then helped them retain it four years later.
The Windies have not tasted glory in the competition since then but Richards feels they have the ability to create history.
"I have always said we have a very good chance of winning this World Cup. We have assembled a team that is good enough to compete at this level," he explained.
"There are so many things for them to motivate themselves for. No team has ever hosted a World Cup and won it so that is a great opportunity.
"Winning it as a West Indies unit is collectively good for the whole region and I believe we stand a very good chance."
Richards was talking at the opening of the new Kensington Oval ground in Barbados that will host the World Cup final on 28 April.
If I was in a facility like this I'd be wanting to perform and I hope these guys get that feeling as well
Richards on the new Kensington Oval in Barbados
He captained a side of West Indies greats including Desmond Haynes, Gordon Greenidge, Courtney Walsh, Curtley Ambrose and Joel Garner in a Twenty20 defeat by a World XI led by former England captain Alec Stewart.
"It was a wonderful occasion to be here at this magnificent ground. It's great when you have facilities like this," Richards added.
"I just hope the cricket over the next few weeks and months can match some of the facilities and I hope justice is done in terms of getting some magnificent performances.
"It would be fitting if that was the case. If I was in a facility like this I'd be wanting to perform and I hope these guys get that feeling as well."
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