The 2018 World Cup is nearly 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 jet out to their training base in Repino on Tuesday with the tournament kicking off in earnest on Thursday afternoon when the hosts face Saudi Arabia.
We will have all the latest news, views, pictures and video direct from Russia throughout the day as we build up to the biggest football tournament in the world.
Live Updates
17:05
Look who else has pitched up in Nizhny Novgorod...
Which nation's World Cup will he ruin this year with his ruthless brilliance?
16:34
"Hey Sam, would you be available to live blog the World Cup opening ceremony on Thursday?"
"Sure, I'd love to..."
"Sure, I'd love to..."
"Oh, for f..."
16:32
Neymar: Brazil are 'dreaming' of a sixth World Cup title
If Brazil are dreaming of a sixth World Cup, let's hope they have a back-up plan for when an unruly centre-half cleans out their star man. A back-up plan that isn't shouting the national anthem really loudly and holding a vigil for their injured striker, that is.
15:48
Introducing the official World Cup football by Telstar.
Please note: the black panels have been blurred out to protect their identity.
15:20
Irishman Spaniard Miguel Delaney is getting excited...
A riot of colour, emotion and memories: the World Cup stands alone in the field of sport
The World Cup finals are just three days away!
15:12
"So tell me, what exactly did Marco Materazzi say to you?"
14:54
Croatia have arrived in Russia...
...and so have Serbia...
...OH SH...
14:46
Didier Deschamps' lecture on the Concept of Intertextuality was better attended that expected for a Monday morning.
14:29
Lionel Messi threatens to retire if Argentina fail to impress in Russia
It's the major honour that eludes him, the one trophy that would cement his legacy as the greatest ever. Many will hope to see Lionel Messi and Argentine triumph in Russia this summer, but what are the implications if they don't?
13:55
Searches for "World Cup Russia" in the image database.
Yeah, this'll do.
13:42
How this World Cup will see politics and football mix like never before
Fed up of my inane rambling before the tournament has even begun? Fear not, The Independent's (and Countdown's) Jonathan Liew has written a proper article about the political, moral and ethical issues that come with watching a World Cup in Russia. It's a must-read!
13:30
Senegal World Cup squad guide: Fixtures, group, ones to watch and more
We've checked out Poland, now Liam Twomey talks us through their opponents next week, Senegal. I wonder if he manages to do it without mentioning that 2002 victory over France and The Wardrobe, otherwise known as Papa Bouba Diop.
12:46
Some international squads have already made it to Russia and are getting down to business. In Krasnodar this morning, Julen Lopetegui's Spanish outfit were soaking up the atmosphere and preparing ahead of Friday's encounter with European champions Portugal.
Diego Costa may be enjoying himself now, but wait until he gets VAR'd in a Group B dead rubber with Morocco and misses the knockout stages.
12:26
Erm...well, nothing says World Cup like a big, creepy hedge, I guess?
12:07
How Milner sparked Alexander-Arnold's rise from Liverpool to a World Cup
What can we expect now from TAA in the future? A successful Twitter parody account? One of the great own-goals of European football? Rory Dollard talks us through a heartwarming tale that paints the young full-back as an extremely grounded individual and Milner as an all-round good guy.
11:30
Poland World Cup squad guide: Fixtures, group, ones to watch and more
So what do you know about the Polish? Well, they're tall, loud and flappable under pressure although, admittedly, I'm basing that all on my friend, Martyna, and she works in Waitrose. Thankfully, here's Liam Twomey with an in-depth analysis of Adam Nawałka's squad ahead of their opener with Senegal a week tomorrow,
11:12
Scotland aren't at the World Cup this summer (and haven't been at one since B*Witched were in the charts with C'est la Vie) but June 11th marks quite the milestone in their history.
It's 40 years ago to the day since Archie Gemmill scored that goal against the Netherlands as Scotland prevailed 3-2 at the Estadio Ciudad de Mendoza in Argentina.
It remained Scotland's greatest ever sporting moment...until yesterday.
10:39
Out of sorts Paul Pogba will start France's World Cup opener
France's water carrier-in-chief, Didier Deschamps, has given Paul Pogba the green light to play against Australia on Saturday in Group C's opening game. The midfielder's performances have been under scrutiny of late and he was jeered by his own fans in the recent friendly win over Italy.
Don't worry, Les Bleus fans. If he's not up to it, Scott McTominay can step in for the final two group matches.
10:23
Neymar and Philippe Coutinho lead the way as Brazil arrive in Sochi for the 2018 World Cup.
Tite's squad will be out to lay to rest the horror of 2014's 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany on home soil (and so will I, to be fair, it was a nightmare game to live blog).
The five-time champions begin their campaign on Sunday against Switzerland in Rostov. They will also face Costa Rica and Serbia in Group E.
10:06
On the subject of England, manager Gareth Southgate has been speaking to Sky Sports News this morning from St George's Park.
We are pleased with the way preparations have gone up to now.
It will be nice to fly out tomorrow and good to get on with it.
I think everybody is looking forward to getting into the first game.
Pleased? Nice? Good? Oh my, it's coming home, isn't it?!
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load.
