That's it from World Cup Sportsday, Gary Rose is bringing you all the build up to the day's first fixture Colombia versus Greece and the rest of the day's games including England versus Italy at 23:00 BST.

His live text commentary can be found here:

Almost time for me to sign off, but here's one last entry from Motty's Q&A earlier.

Nick ‏Fry asked: "How do Italy's Marco Verratti and England's Ross Barkley differ as promising, young talents?

Motty: "Still got a lot to learn, both talented. I think Verratti will start, Barkley on the bench."

Image source, Getty Images

Colombia versus Greece is the day's first fixture, with the game kicking off at 17:00 BST. The good news is that it's live across BBC outlets, BBC One and BBC Radio 5 live as well as here on the BBC Sport website.

Fans are already soaking up the atmosphere outside the Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte.

The absence of Gianluigi Buffon would be a huge blow for the Italians tonight. They have failed to win any of the last five internationals when the veteran goalkeeper has not played, drawing five and losing one.

(source - Opta Joe)

Prediction time: John Motson, Neil Lennon and Joey Barton have been giving their thoughts to BBC Radio 5 live:

Motty: "Low-scoring draw."

Lennon: "I'm going to stick my neck out and say England will nick it, if not a draw."

Barton: "How can I disagree with the two legends? A draw."

Danny Mills
BBC Radio 5 live

"I'm hopeful, rather than expectant. The Italian side are good defensively and, if England can keep things relatively tight, they can get at least a draw out of it.

"In the friendlies, when England lost the ball, they got hit on the counter-attack and that's a little bit of a worry.

"The only decisions for Roy Hodgson are in midfield - will he play Sterling or Welbeck, Lallana or Milner? I think it will give everyone a huge lift if Sterling starts. We saw what Andros Townsend did when he came into the side and, hopefully Roy takes that on board."

You've been putting your questions to legendary BBC commentator John Motson

Luke Jones asked: "What do you think Welbeck brings to the team over Sterling? Who should start?

Motty: "Welbeck should start because Roy Hodgson will settle for what he knows."

Image source, EPA

More on the news that Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon might miss tonight's game against England.

Here is his head coach Cesare Prandelli speaking on Friday on the nature of the injury: "He twisted his ankle very lightly, very, very lightly and is receiving treatment at the moment."

QPR midfielder Joey Barton on BBC Radio 5 live

"There's a bit of a difference between thinking you're good and thinking you're Pele. I think maybe the sun has got to Roy Hodgson a bit there - he is an Englishman abroad after all.

"Daniel Sturridge the focal point of the attack. He needs to get that in his head. He needs to be the man finishing off attacks for England, not dropping deep to get involved in the build-up."

BBC 's Kevin Bishop on Twitter:

"0930 at Manaus stadium. Very hot already. Stadium helpers arriving, protecting heads from the sun."

Gary Lineker has been looking ahead to England's opening World Cup match against Italy in Manaus.

The Match of the Day presenter gives his opinion on who Roy Hodgson could select for the group match, and believes the England boss should put his faith in the young players.

You've been putting your questions to legendary BBC commentator John Motson.

Elton Gjoni ‏asked: With lower expectations this time around can England be the surprise of the World Cup?

Motty: "They can be, but whether they will be depends upon the result of this opening match."

Paris St-Germain goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu is likely to step in if Gianluigi Buffon's absence is confirmed with the uncapped Genoa 21-year old Matthia Perin the only other goalkeeper in Cesare Prandelli's squad.

Italian sports news outlet Sport Mediaset have tweeted, external that Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has been ruled out of tonight's match against England with an ankle injury.

Confidence in the England team is high for tonight's opening World Cup match against Italy, according to a study of words relating to football.

Cambridge University Press is analysing media coverage during Brazil 2014 and scoring 'confidence levels' out of 100.

Confidence was measured at 38 after the 2-2 draw with Ecuador on 4 June and 40 following the 0-0 draw with Honduras on 8 June but rose to 77 a day later. England's current rating is 70.

Image source, AP

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson believes that the side that he took to the last eight of the tournament in 2006 had a better chance of winning than the current World Cup squad.

"I don't think any team were better than England at the World Cup in Germany," he told BBC Radio 4.

"I don't believe England have the chance to win this time. The quarter-finals would be a good achievement."

Image source, @NickFranks

Nick Franks on Twitter:, external The calm before the storm

BBC Sport's Tom Rostance

"Just if you are planning ahead England will wear their home white kit in all three group games"

Less than nine hours until kick-off between England and Italy. Have you staked out your seat for the big game yet? Wallchart tacked up?

Whiteboard ready with tactics displayed on how to keep the supply lines between the lounge and kitchen open?

Let's see what you've got.

Tweet your picture of your viewing set-up and your World Cup-themed decoration to #myworldcupseat , externaland we'll show the best.

Here is 5 live presenter Mark Chapman's effort from earlier in the week to get your juices flowing...

You'll have to go some to match that...

Guardian chief sports writer Owen Gibson on Twitter:

Image source, Owen Gibson

Supporters have descended on Brazil in their masses. Here are some British bobbies keeping an eye on England's fans.