Right, that is all for World Cup Sportsday today. If you have been following the build-up to tonight's opener between Brazil and Croatia from the confines of your office, hopefully we have provided you with a sprinkling of samba spirit to get you in the mood for the tournament.

That wait is nearly over and our build-up continues with Tom Rostance as he counts down the final few hours until the 2014 Fifa World Cup officially gets under way.

Join him on the BBC Sport website for coverage of every moment and every kick once Brazil v Croatia gets under way. This. Is. It.

Richard Conway
BBC Radio 5 live sports news correspondent in Sao Paolo

"Protestors are continuing to clash with police in Sao Paolo, around five miles from stadium. Tear gas and rubber bullets fired by police as protestors continue to move through streets."

Image source, @350South

350South:, external The Irishman living in Laos. Thanks to the Thai junta, we actually get the tournament on TV!

Our vote is now closed and the results are in. 52% of you do not believe that, after signing Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea will win the league. Thank you all for your vote!

The Blue Peter tortoise Shelley has been predicting the World Cup winner for tonight's game between Brazil and Croatia. Who has she picked? Have a look on the CBBC website to find out.

Ben Smith
BBC Sport

"Preparations well under way for the opening ceremony inside the stadium. It's a beautiful day in Sao Paulo. Clear skies and temperatures of about 26C. The gates open to fans in about an hour but there are tens of thousands outside them stadium already getting well into the spirit."

We will be featuring a global selection of comments from readers of the BBC World Service's language websites and via various social network platforms throughout the World Cup. Here's a selection so far, provided by the BBC's Russian Service.

Alexander Aslanyan, Russia, via social network VK:, external I'm really looking forward to a thrilling, nerve shredding game. Please show us the beauty of football!

Gulnara Mamedova, Baku, Azerbaijan via Facebook:, external Brazilians have a wonderful proverb: 'Football is our religion and the Maracana is our temple'. This is a great saying and one to remember (over the next month)

Balda Baldanov, Russia via Google Plus:, external Russians should follow the example of Brazilians. Life in Russia will not improve without strikes.

Just as important as a sticker album for a World Cup is, of course, a World Cup wall chart! Have you got yours printed out and pinned up pride of place on the living room wall yet?

If not, then head to the CBBC website to get your very own giant MOTD Kickabout Wall Chart and don't forget to watch Match of the Day Kickabout on CBBC for goal highlights and more.

It is four hours until the 2014 Fifa World Cup gets under way and fans gathered in Sao Paulo are in good spirits. Here a couple kiss a replica of the World Cup trophy...

Image source, Getty Images

...Brazil and Croatia fans have joined together to celebrate...

Image source, Getty Images

...but with a few more hours still until the stadium opens, all the excitement can be a bit much for some fans.

Image source, Getty Images

Now that Chelsea have signed Cesc Fabregas do you think they will win the league next season? Vote via the voting section on this page. Terms and conditions apply. Voting will close at 17:30 BST with results appearing in this page.

Match of the Day's Steve Wilson, who will commentate on Sunday's game between Bosnia-Hercegovina and Argentina: "Sejad Salihovic was injured in training this morning. He has gone to hospital for X-ray. He was a likely starter against Argentina on Sunday."

Brazil defender Dante owes his career to a games console.

His parents were unable to afford to send him to a trial with Juventude 1,800 miles from his home, so a 15-year-old Dante sold his beloved console in order to pay for the bus fare.

It worked, with his trial a success. "It was the only way I got my chance in the game," says Bayern Munich's Dante.

Image source, Getty Images

Excitement is building across the globe as kick off in the opening game of the World Cup approaches. Here, two fans get involved in a bit of samba dancing in London's Trafalgar Square.

Now that Chelsea have signed Cesc Fabregas do you think they will win the league next season? Vote via the voting section on this page. Terms and conditions apply. Voting will close at 17:30 BST with results appearing in this page.

BBC Sport's John Inverdale spotted Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech watching watching Radek Stepanek v Andy Murray at Queen's and could not pass up the opportunity to ask for his thoughts on the signing of Cesc Fabregas.

Cech didn't know about the signing, but says: "Well if it's confirmed obviously he's a great player, with a lot of experience of playing in England and the Premier League so it's a great addition to the team."

Alex Gress:, external Sums Arsenal's transfer ambitions up when they don't even try and re-sign a world class player they've got first refusal on.

Alexander Wood:, external Seeing Fabregas in a Chelsea shirt is worse than any former player for me. Brings a tear to the eye.

Image source, AP

Thailand's ruling junta orders TV regulators to ensure that football fans will not have to pay to watch any matches at the World Cup.

The military said it was part of its "happiness campaign", which has seen a number of policy gimmicks, such as free haircuts and concerts.

The broadcaster that bought the rights to show the World Cup is reportedly claiming $21.5m (£13m) in compensation.

Cesc Fabregas also confirms that his former club Arsenal decided not to take up the chance to re-sign the midfielder.

The 27-year-old has today signed for Chelsea from Barcelona.

"Yes, everyone knows that Arsenal had the first option to sign me," he says. "They decided not to take this option and therefore it wasn't meant to be. I wish them well in the future."

DeathApeDisco:, external "Fabregas didn't win anything at Arsenal, and Barcelona have declined with him in the team. He has a lot to prove."

Danny Welbeck is set to give England a massive World Cup fitness boost by returning to training later on Thursday, reports the Daily Mail., external

The Manchester United forward threw Roy Hodgson's plans into turmoil earlier this week when he limped out of a training session with a hamstring problem.

But Hodgson was hopeful he will be able to play some part in training this afternoon ahead of Saturday's opening Group D encounter against Italy.