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 later today 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
17:19
As the England squad touch down and take their first steps on Russian soil, it's time to wrap up this World Cup blog for Tuesday.
But we'll be back tomorrow with all the latest news from Russia, and then it's time for the talking to stop - the 2018 World Cup begins on Thursday!
17:04
The final side to preview in Group B are Iran.
With games against Morocco, Spain and Portugal, Carlos Queiroz's squad are going to need moves like Dejagah.
16:57
Will this be the last time we see these two words together this summer?
16:42
Morocco have some fine attacking talent in their squad, and they'll need them to be at their best if they are to get through a tough Group B.
The chances of Hervé Renard are assessed before they take on Iran in Saint Petersburg on Friday.
16:17
Head of FIFA Refereeing, Massimo Busacca, has been asked at a press conference in Moscow how many games at this World Cup he thinks will be ruined by VAR.
15:54
The plane carrying the England squad has landed in Russia.
We're not sure if it's worth suggesting that they keep the engine running.
15:24
And here come the 2010 winners!
There may be no more Xavi, but Julen Lopetegui still has an incredible array of talent in his Spain squad.
14:56
Let's delve into Group B and take a look at how the European champions are set.
Fernando Santos' Portugal begin their World Cup campaign by facing Spain in Sochi on Friday.
14:40
Midfielders Tim Cahill and Mile Jedinak sandwich coach Bert van Marwijk as the Australia squad pose for a squad picture ahead of a training session in Kazan.
Combined age in the photograph, 316
14:30
And there's no better way to set yourself up for England failure in Russia than reliving failures from World Cups past.
Tony Strudwick, part of Roy Hodgson's backroom team in Brazil four years ago, explains where the Three Lions fell short in their preparations.
14:09
In other England news, Gareth Southgate's squad have reportedly requested English television within their base in Repino. It's a demand that can be met but has to be capped at a selected four channels. After thinking long and hard, the players have gone for Sky Sports News in order to keep in touch with the football stories back home, BBC1 and ITV so that they can watch the live World Cup games with English commentary, and finally, ITV2 so as not to miss a minute of Love Island.
This country.
14:04
Best wishes from their best ever goalscorer...
14:01
Either there is some kind of protest going down outside the Russian embassy in Berlin, or Germany have produced the world's worst format of Frank Sidebottom.
13:42
Egypt have their sights set on the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time, but much will depend on the fitness of Mohamed Salah.
Héctor Cúper's side are the last of our Group A previews before they face Uruguay on Friday.
12:54
Where's the World Cup heading? Everyone's got an opinion and that includes the sports team at The Independent.
From the winners to where England will come unstuck, our writers have put up their predictions to be shot at.
12:41
Fourth in 2010, beaten in the last 16 in Brazil four years ago, Uruguay are back for their third consecutive World Cup finals.
Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and co. are always capable of making headlines, and get their 2018 campaign underway against Egypt in Yekaterinburg on Friday.
11:56
It's also 16 years to the day that I phoned in sick to work - from the pub.
It's 16 years to the day that England confirmed their place in the knockout stages of the 2002 World Cup following a 0-0 draw with Nigeria, a game that kicked-off in Osaka at 7.30am BST.
It's also 16 years to the day that I phoned in sick to work - from the pub.
11:37
Russia's opponents in Moscow on Thursday are Saudi Arabia.
The Green Falcons' best showing at a World Cup was at USA '94 when they reached the Last 16 of a competition in which Saeed Al-Owairan scored one of the great international goals. Can they replicate - or better - that performance this time around?
11:03
It's almost time for the talking to stop and the action to commence so it's only right that we take a look at the countries involved.
The Independent's sports staff have compiled in-depth previews of each nation and we'll be bringing them to you throughout the day.
Like the World Cup, let's kick-off with the hosts, Russia, in Group A.
10:37
Brazilian birthday bantz.
The yolk's on Philippe Coutinho as his Brazil teammates decide to celebrate the Barcelona's midfielder's 26th birthday by cracking eggs off the back of his head.
That's one way of warming up for their Group E opener with Switzerland on Sunday.
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