As England fly out to Russia world cup 2018 this week event kick off.

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.