You're Spanish and want to ask a question to Antoine Griezmann's about his potential move from Atletico Madrid to Barcelona. Unfortunately, the France press officer has stipulated that the only language spoken will be French, which you don't know. What do you do?

How about this...?

The Griezmann story has got even weirder today - he's going to announce his future at 20:15 BST tonight on Spanish TV - it's even got its own hashtag, #LaDecisión

Wright Said Nick: I got my wife into watching World Cup games by making a meal from it e.g Portugal v Spain we can make piri piri chicken and drink Sangria. Nice food and I get to watch the game = everyone’s a winner

Matt Price: just remembered I still need to buy some beers for the #WorldCup - thank god I remembered now and not before Russia v Saudi Arabia

Gary Lineker
Ex-England striker on BBC One

History tells us that it's normally a European team who wins when the World Cup is on this continent - and there are some very strong European teams at the moment.

Germany are always a threat and won't be far away, while France have got some amazing players and will have a chance if they can get it together - but, if I had to pick someone, I would go with Spain. They have a tremendous depth to their squad and are technically brilliant as always.

Outside of that, Brazil are always contenders - but I don't like the way they play at the moment, it's a bit negative. I hope they don't play with three holding midfielders, which they have been using lately.

Image source, AFP

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think putting the 7-1 Germany defeat in the 2014 semi-finals behind them is the big thing for Brazil. It is almost like they need to exorcise the ghost of that defeat for the entire country.

They had a similar sort of redemption when they won the 2002 World Cup after losing the 1998 final. Ronaldo made amends then by scoring two goals in the final, and I am sure Neymar visualises himself doing the same in Russia and helping Brazil win it.

They have got so many players who can cause teams problems and their coach, Tite, seems to be able to get the best out of them. I still don't think they are brilliant defensively - but who is?

Image source, AFP

You probably remember Brazil 1-7 Germany, Luis Suarez's bite, and James Rodriguez's stunning volley - but here are some moments you may have forgotten from the 2014 Fifa World Cup.

Image source, BBC Sport

It wouldn't be the World Cup without a wallchart.

Fortunate then that we've got one you can download and print. And you can find that here.

We can't supply the pen unfortunately.

As we've still got a while until the opening ceremony gets under way, here's some recommended reading - our man Patrick Jennings' superb feature on legendary Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin.

'The Black Spider' is the face of the 2018 World Cup and remains a hero in Russia. His fascinating life was one of triumph and tragedy.

Bullet-maker to Ballon d'Or: The man who reinvented goalkeeping

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

We want to know your plans for getting through this World Cup.

Are you planning to watch every game? Taking the month off work, or going to sneakily stream some games on the BBC iPlayer in the office?

What drinks and snacks have you stocked up on for the best few weeks of this year?

Let us know using #bbcworldcup - with pictures if relevant - or by texting 81111 (UK only, please let us know your name - you can't text us pictures).

Egypt forward Mohamed Salah has recovered from his shoulder injury and will play in their World Cup opener against Uruguay tomorrow (13:00 BST), says coach Hector Cuper.

The Liverpool player was injured in the Champions League final defeat by Real Madrid and has not played since.

"I can almost assure you 100% that he will play, save unforeseen circumstances at the very last minute."

Egypt and Uruguay are the other two teams, along with Russia and Saudi Arabia, in Group A.

Image source, EPA

While both these sides are unfancied and out of form, they do at least still have their managers.

In one of the all-time biggest World Cup build-up stories, Spain sacked manager Julen Lopetegui with immediate effect yesterday.

That came the day after Real Madrid announced he was going to take over after the World Cup - and it turned out the Spanish FA did not know that was happening.

Fernando Hierro takes over in maybe the biggest caretaker manager job ever.

This even gazumps when Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane left the team just before the 2002 World Cup (probably).

Image source, Getty Images

Never has the world looked forward to a game between the 70th and 67th best teams in the world more.

Household names on show today? Zero

And yet...

We've waited four years for this, basically Christmas morning for football fans.

Welcome to Russia v Saudi Arabia, but much more importantly... welcome to the Fifa 2018 World Cup.