The 2018 World Cup is finally here with the eyes of the globe turning towards Russia.
It promises to be an action-packed, drama-filled month as 736 players from 32 nations arrive for a feast of football. Brazil, Spain and Germany arrive as tournament favourites with Gareth Southgate's England heading in with plenty of hope if not much expectation. They face Tunisia in Volgograd on Monday before taking on Panama and Belgium in Group G.
They have trained in Repino for the first time with the tournament kicking off in earnest on Thursday afternoon when the hosts face Saudi Arabia. That, of course, comes after the not-at-all tedious opening ceremony.
We will have all the latest news, views, pictures and video direct from Russia throughout the day as we build up to the start of the biggest football tournament in the world.
Live Updates
17:21
Julen Lopetegui is set to be unveiled as Real Madrid boss, an hour after Spain's press conference finishes.
England will have to consider Marcus Rashford's fitness before Monday's opening game with Tunisia.
And, if you want to relive Robbie Williams' performance and Vladimir Putin's opening speech check this article:
17:17
So... where are we right now?
Well, Russia are 2-0 up and cruising against Saudi Arabia in the first match of the 2018 World Cup, leading through Gazinksy and Cheryshev goals.
The Spanish press conference is shortly getting under way with Sergio Ramos and new boss Hierro entering.
17:11
Still a good few days away before England kick off their World Cup campaign against Tunisia but let's hope they're as 'sharp' as they were today.
If you're interested, Gary Cahill won.
17:06
Do you agree with Trippier here?
Rashford *potentially* out of action, so who else, apart from Kane, can get England's goals?
16:40
Some news here if you're an Egypt/Liverpool fan, or alternatively, a Sergio Ramos sympathiser, but it's positive because the electric winger IS FIT to play in tomorrow's game against Uruguay.
16:31
Heartbreak for Russia as Alan Dzagoev, their most creative outlet, capped 59 times before today, has gone off after 25 minutes with a hamstring injury.
16:15
GOAL! Gazinsky 12'
The first goal of the tournament goes to Russia who take a deserved lead.
Keep up with the rest of the action here:
15:47
Away from tonight's excitement, Spain's new boss Fernando Hierro and Sergio Ramos prepare to face the press...
This could get interesting.
15:36
That would spice things up a tad...
15:24
The opening ceremony is due to start in just over five minutes and you can keep up to date with the match live, HERE at the Independent:
15:19
Saudi Arabia will be looking to replicate moments like this from the '94 World Cup, today...
15:09
Starting line-ups for the opening game at this 2018 World Cup...
15:00
WARNING: ONE HOUR TILL KICK OFF.
14:55
Is it just me or does seeing Slaven Bilic on the ITV World Cup panel remind them of this beauty?
Don't let us down, Slav.
14:31
They're ready to go. Are you? #WC2018
14:29
He might have missed a second straight day of training due to a minor niggle but Marcus Rashford still seems in pretty good spirits, if his Twitter is anything to go by.
He was filmed a couple of weeks ago, walking and doing keepy-uppys simultaneously.
Now he's tweeted a video of him doing it at a younger age.
Safe to say, injury or not, he's delighted to be out in Russia with England.
14:11
Even England have won a World Cup game more recently than these two!
Will either of these sides break their long-awaited run for victory at a World Cup?
13:39
Excited yet or do I still have to try harder?
Less than an hour till World Cup 2018 coverage starts on ITV 1!
13:01
And for those of you still wanting to learn more about VAR and what it's going to look like during this World Cup, check Andrew Griffin's article here:
12:51
On the theme of referees, this World Cup is set to be the first ever to utilise the VAR system.
For those who have avoided football all season long, that is Video Assistant Referee which gives officials the chance to see certain moments they missed during the live action.
Despite the marked improvement in decision making, it's had criticism for lack of communication with fans and disrupting the flow of games, but, do you think it's a good addition to the World Cup?
Let us know in the comments section below!
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