BBC World Service's Ben James:, external "'Play for us!' screams the front page of Brazilian daily O Globo. Just been handed morning papers through car window in Copacabana."

Conor McNamara
BBC Radio 5 live

Luggage lost between Rio and Salvador. I have no clothes. Thanks to Tony Pulis I'll be at Spain training today wearing #CPFC shorts & socks.

And the trademark baseball cap Conor? Surely?

BBC Radio 5 live

As you stroll out of the office or factory for your lunchtime sandwich (or for your cafe-da-manha if you're lucky enough to be out in Brazil), BBC Radio 5 live has some essential listening to grace your ears with in less than an hour's time.

Dan Walker hosts the first Rio Report - live from Copacabana - between 13:30-15:00 BST. Former England striker Alan Shearer joins in the beach-side cafe chat between 13:30-14:00, before Queen's Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton pulls up a sun-lounger about 15:00. (Don't worry folks, the running order means Shearer and Barton - who famously had a public spat in 2012, external - won't be exchanging glares over the ham and requeijao toasties.)

We will be showing you behind-the-scenes photos from the Copacabana, plus the chance to get involved with the show later on.

Image source, Getty Images

Napoli manager Rafael Benitez says that, while simple in theory, deploying Danny Welbeck to man-mark Andrea Pirlo may not be enough for England to stifle the Italy playmaker on Saturday.

"Even if somebody like Danny Welbeck is sent on to the pitch with the job of stopping Pirlo - chasing and chasing, closing him down - the Italian will still have the ability to find space and put in the pass that can change everything," Benitez, who faced Pirlo in the 2005 Champions League final when in charge of Liverpool, told the Independent., external

Thinking caps on.

Today's #QSTeaser from @QuestionofSport, external is: Which players have scored the opening goal at the last 4 World Cups?

Answers to #qsteaser., external

England winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is recovering so well from a strained medial ligament injury that he has exhausted medical staff charged with overseeing his recovery, according to team-mate James Milner.

"It's great to see Ox about running," the Manchester City midfielder said.

"He obviously feared not long ago that it might be the end of his tournament, but the running he has been doing...

"He saw one of the physios off because he couldn't keep up with him, so another physio had to come in and run the second part of the running with him, so he is running at good speed and coming along well."

Image source, Daniel Cooper

Daniel Cooper: , externalWe are having a beach party in Derby!

Turn up the central heating and chill the drinks. We are on our way.

Image source, Twitter

"There's no World Cup fever in England," they cry. Those people who moan about the lack of patriotism might want to head down to our reader Lila's house. The strategic placing of St George's Cross flags are impressive enough, but the colourful tagging of her front hedge takes some beating. Ladies and gentlemen, the bar has been raised considerably. Anyone care to try to push it higher?

Tweet pictures of your World Cup decorations to #bbcworldcup and don't be shy in sending where you will be watching the action unfold from to #myworldcupseat.

And here's what you can look forward to across the BBC over the rest of the day...

13:30-15:00 BST: Rio Report (BBC Radio 5 live)

18:00-00:00 BST: Text/audio: Brazil v Croatia (BBC Sport website)

19:00-23:30 BST: Listen: Brazil v Croatia (BBC Radio 5 live)

19:00-23:15 BST: Watch: Brazil v Croatia (ITV1)

23:20-00:00 BST: Match of the Day (BBC Two)

Nigh noon on the first day of the World Cup. Here are your midday headlines:

England have sent a member of head coach Roy Hodgson's staff to inspect the pitch in Manaus after the head groundsman admitted it was in "bad shape" ahead of Saturday's meeting with Italy.

Assistant coach Gary Neville's tactical notes have been snapped by a photographer ahead, external of the meeting with the Azzurri and seem to suggest that the midfielders have been given licence to bomb on beyond Daniel Sturridge.

Fifa vice-president Jeffrey Webb suggests any team or individual found guilty of racist offences could be thrown out of the tournament.

The head of Fifa's anti-discrimination taskforce has called on officials to kick teams out of the Brazil World Cup if fans or players commit racist offences.

Jeffrey Webb, a vice president of the world governing body, believes that the NBA's decision to force LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling to sell his franchise, after he was exposed making racist comments in private, has set "a new standard" that Fifa must now follow.

"They have to. The NBA has set a new standard and I applaud them for it," said Webb when asked if teams or individuals could be banned from the World Cup.

"They made a swift and concise decision - they've taken appropriate actions and we need to do the same thing in football. We must have a zero tolerance."

Image source, Getty Images

Scotland's day in the Parisian sun.

Craig Brown's took on the Brazil side that had won the tournament in the United States four years before.

They conceded an early goal to Cesar Sampaio's header, but John Collins converted from the spot, after a foul on Kevin Gallacher, to get the large travelling contingent dreaming.

A calamitous own-goal, as Jim Leighton parried a shot into covering defender Tom Boyd, ensured the world champions' campaign got off to a winning start, but it was the Tartan Army making most noise on the final whistle after a valiant display.

Abhi Gupta:, external Predictions 1. Germany, 2. Argentina, 3. Brazil, 4. Spain. Argentina to beat Portugal in QFs but I think there could be an upset.

Andy Milne:, external This will be the last time the hosts win the World Cup for a while. Brazil to beat Spain in the final.

Phillip Moore:, external Let's see if Ronaldo can finally be as good as he thinks he is when it actually matters. I bet Sterling plays better than C Ron.

Any predictions for tonight's opener between Brazil and Croatia? Match of the Day pundit Mark Lawrenson is sticking his neck on the line - for your amusement - by guessing the scores of each World Cup match. The former Liverpool defender has plumped for a 2-0 win to Brazil.

"Brazil are the hosts and a lot of people's favourites, but the pressure and expectation they will have to put up with is massive," says ex-Republic of Ireland international Lawro. "I think they will go very close to winning the tournament but it will not be easy for them.

"They will get through their first game without any problems, though. This Croatia side is nowhere near as strong as their teams from previous tournaments."

David Ornstein
BBC Sport in Rio de Janeiro

Sunrise in Rio, excitement on Copacabana, but there is a World Cup protest blocking the main road to Galeao airport.

Image source, Glen Michael Cooper

Glen Michael Cooper: , externalLeft or right screens whilst working, middle screen when not. Punchbag to lay into if England lose!

What is your vantage point on the action? Send us a picture to #myworldcupseat., external

Ben Smith
BBC Sport in Sao Paolo

"Good morning from Sao Paulo. I'd like to say I was well rested before the big kick-off today, but all through the night and still here just after 7am in the morning, people are tooting their car horns, shouting in the street and letting off fireworks that sounded more like explosions. It is as if Brazil has now woken up to the idea that it actually does all begin today."

Never mind rest Ben, a cup of Brazil's finest coffee will help focus your mind...

Jon, via text: Reading Rio Ferdinand's comment at 09:56 has given me visions of Rafael and Fabio living together like Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street.

Image source, Getty Images

All the basic details about a World Cup - teams, venues, players - have been drummed into our brains over recent weeks. But there are few left-field questions which have been left unanswered.

Why will referees have spray cans in a holster? How bad can a team be and still reach the knockout stages? Why might there be adverts in each half? Why has the official 'noise-making' instrument for fans been banned? And what is England's official anthem?

As the global spotlight falls on the beautiful game once again, BBC Sport identifies eight things you really ought to know about the 2014 World Cup.