Monday 11 June 2018 15:32, UK
England kick off their World Cup campaign next Monday, but what can they expect from their Group G rivals?
Gareth Southgate's side play Tunisia in Volgograd in their opening game, before facing Panama in Nizhny Novgorod on June 24 and much-fancied Belgium in Kaliningrad on June 28.
Here, we take a look at each of England's Group G opponents, assessing their route to Russia, their recent form, and their key players.
TUNISIA
7pm, June 18, Volgograd
FIFA ranking: 21st
Head-to-head record: P2 W1 D1 L0
How did they qualify? Winners of CAF Group A
Recent form: WWDDL
Manager: Nabil Maaloul
Star man: Wahbi Khazri
World Cup winner odds: 1000/1 with Sky Bet
Tunisia reached their first World Cup since 2006 by topping a qualifying group containing Congo DR, Libya and Guinea, winning four games and drawing the other two. They have appeared in four previous World Cups, but have never made it beyond the group stage.
Nicknamed the Eagles of Carthage, Tunisia are managed by former midfielder Nabil Maaloul. Their squad does not contain many familiar names, although England will have to watch out for ex-Sunderland winger Wahbi Khazri, while Leicester defender Yohan Benalouane will be one of the players hoping to keep things tight at the back.
They have not won any of their last three friendlies, but they fought back from two goals down to claim an impressive 2-2 draw with Portugal at the end of last month, and on Saturday they sat deep and frustrated Spain, holding out until the 84th minute, when Iago Aspas grabbed the winning goal. England should expect a similar test.
PANAMA
1pm, June 24, Nizhny Novgorod
FIFA ranking: 55th
Head-to-head record: N/A
How did they qualify? Third in CONCACAF Qualifying
Recent form: LLWDL
Manager: Hernan Dario Gomez
Star man: Roman Torres
World Cup odds: 1000/1 with Sky Bet
Panama are competing in the World Cup for the first time following their dramatic - and controversial - qualification. Their 2-1 victory over Costa Rica ensured the elimination of the United States and included an opening goal that did not appear to cross the line. Panama supporters will not care - the celebrations were wild.
Although there are no superstar names in the squad, there are a number of players with experience in Major League Soccer, including Roman Torres, the hero of the Costa Rica game, who has won the MLS Cup with the Seattle Sounders. Others have played in Europe and everyone will be looking forward to what is a momentous occasion for Panama.
Although they lack star quality, Panama are a hard-working side who will not give up without a fight. They were only narrowly defeated by Norway in their last warm-up game, going down 1-0, and they held Northern Ireland to a goalless draw before that.
BELGIUM
7pm, June 28, Kaliningrad Stadium
FIFA ranking: 3rd
Head-to-head record: P21 W15 D4 L2
How did they qualify? Winners of UEFA Group H
Recent form: DWWDW
Manager: Roberto Martinez
Star man: Eden Hazard
World Cup odds: 10/1 with Sky Bet
Belgium's own Golden Generation head to Russia on the back of an emphatic qualifying campaign which saw them win nine of their 10 qualifiers and draw the other. Manchester United's Romelu Lukaku was their top scorer in that phase, hitting the net 11 times, and, along with Chelsea's Eden Hazard and Napoli's Dries Mertens, is one of their many attacking options.
They are backed up by a defence built around Tottenham's Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld, with Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois in goal. Manager Roberto Martinez will know England's players well after managing Wigan and Everton in the Premier League, but he will have to find a way to get his players performing on the big stage after their Euro 2016 disappointment when they were knocked out at the quarter-final stage by Wales.
Belgium have been found wanting defensively in previous tournaments, but they have not conceded a single goal in any of their last four friendlies. Martinez will hope it is a sign of what is to come. England will not.
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