With the FIFA World Cup in Russia just days away, here's your guide to the summer spectacle.

When does it start?

The opening ceremony for the tournament will commence at 2pm on Thursday at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium. The opening ceremony will be followed by the first game between the hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia, kick off at 4pm.

When does it finish?

The final takes place on July 15.

When is England's first game?

England kick off their World Cup campaign against Tunisia in Group G at the Volgograd Arena in Volgograd. The match is due to start at 7pm and will be shown live on BBC.

Who else is in Group G?

England and Tunisia will be joined in their group by Belgium and Panama. Tunisia have failed to qualify out of the group stage of a World Cup in their previous five attempts, they struggled for goals in qualifying but they will be no pushovers with a centre back Yohan Benalouane and forward Wahbi Khazri both having graced the Premier League.

This will be the first World Cup for Panama and they will want to enjoy themselves. Striker Gabriel Torres will be their main threat for goals as he was their joint top scorer in qualifying along with centre back Roman Torres.

Belgium need no introduction, they have a team that is packed full of world class stars but seems to fail to meet expectations. The players will be looking too Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne and Chelsea's Eden Hazard to produce the goods and they are expected to perform.

What games should I look out for?

Portugal vs Spain (Group B)

Where? Fisht Olympic Stadium (Sochi)

When? 15th June, kick off at 7pm and will be shown live on BBC

Brazil vs Switzerland (Group E)

Where? Rostov Arena

When? 17th June, kick off at 7pm and will be shown live on ITV

Argentina vs Croatia (Group D)

Where? Nizhny Novgorod Stadium

When? 21st June, kick off at 7pm and will be shown live on BBC

Germany vs Sweden (Group F)

Where? Fisht Olympic Stadium (Sochi)

When? 23rd June, kick off at 7pm and will be shown live on BBC

England vs Belgium (Group G)

Where? Kaliningrad Arena

When? 28th June, kick off at 7pm and will be shown live on BBC

Players to watch

Sardar Azmoun- Iran and Rubin Kazan

Azmoun scored a casual 19 goals in 19 games for Iran under 20s and was deservedly pushed up to the senior squad where he scored 23 goals in 32 games, a quite astonishing record. He has the best goals-per-game ratio of any footballer in Iran's history and with a good World Cup behind him he could earn himself a move to a big club.

Ousmane Dembele- France and Barcelona

Dembele had a season blighted by injury but still registered 9 assists and 4 goals for Barcelona this term. He is confident with both feet which means he is influential on either wing and he is very good in one on one situations with his quick dribbling skills. Dembele has been performing well of late and played well in France's recent friendlies against Italy and Ireland, scoring a stunner against Italy.

Trent Alexander Arnold- England and Liverpool

Some forget that Alexander-Arnold is still only 19 years old with the full back playing well beyond his years, his performances this season for Liverpool have earned him a spot in the England squad and it is well deserved. Alexander-Arnold has all the attributes needed for a modern day attacking full back. The England team has a few experienced full backs that may well get the nod ahead of him but it will be a good learning curve.

Weird facts

The heaviest player at the World Cup 2018 will be Panama's Roman Torres who weighs in at 99kg. Harry Maguire and Harry Kane of England coming in at a close second at 98kg.

Takashi Inui of Japan is the lightest player at the World Cup, weighing in at 59kg.

The tallest player at the World Cup is Croatia goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic who stands at 6ft 5.

The oldest player at the World Cup will be Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary who is 45 years old, the oldest player ever to feature at the competition if he plays.

Germany will be hoping to be the first nation to win the World Cup back to back, the last team to do it was Brazil in 1962.

Mexico have qualified without winning the tournament more than any other country (16 times).

11 of the 62 games that England have played in a World Cup have ended 0-0, more than any other team.