Emma Sanders
BBC Sport in Doha

Image source, BBC Sport

I have just arrived at the Al Thumama Stadium ahead of Senegal v Netherlands.

I thought I’d travel local style rather than getting one of the media shuttle buses.

It was about an hour and a half via two metro changes, a bus and then a 40-minute walk but a great adventure!

The bus driver was very helpful and a passenger made sure I got off at the right stop. Now for the football!

You were close, to be fair....

Image source, BBC Sport

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at The Kalifha National Stadium, Doha

The inclusion of Arsenal's Bukayo Saka is England manager Gareth Southgate's stand-out selection but just reward for his outstanding start to the season that has helped The Gunners to the top of the Premier League.

Manchester City's Phil Foden will be disappointed to be left out of the starting line-up but what an option off the bench.

Southgate's big gamble is keeping faith with Manchester United captain Harry Maguire in central defence despite his dismal club form and a poor performance in England's last Uefa Nations League match against Germany.

Andy Cryer
BBC Sport in Qatar

The Khalifa Stadium is looking very empty with a little more than a hour before kick-off, and the outside isn’t looking much busier.

Image source, BBC Sport

Reaction continues to come in on the decision by England and Wales that players will not wear OneLove armbands for their games at this World Cup.

You can read more here.

While we're discussing stuff...

England's opening game of the 2022 World Cup against Iran begins in just over an hour.

Where are you watching the game? Send us a photo using the link below.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u127672948

I guess the big talking points in that XI are going to be Harry Maguire retaining Gareth Southgate's backing and Raheem Sterling starting over Phil Foden, despite the contrasting form of each player.

Discuss.

Bukayo Saka is handed his first-ever World Cup start as England boss Gareth Southgate names his team for their opener against Iran.

The Arsenal man gets the nod thanks to his excellent club form, and starts ahead of Phil Foden. Harry Maguire starts with England appearing to be lining up with a back four.

As expected, Kyle Walker and James Maddison are not fit enough to be involved.

England XI: Pickford, Stones, Maguire, Trippier, Rice, Bellingham, Mount, Shaw, Saka, Kane, Sterling

Iran XI: Beiranvand, Moharrami, Hajsafi, Mohammadi, Jahanbakhsh, Pouraliganji, Taremi, Cheshmi, Karimi,Hosseini, Nourollahi

Image source, .

Gareth Southgate says his England players will take the knee before today's World Cup opener against Iran.

The Three Lions have carried out the anti-racism gesture before their matches since the death of George Floyd in 2020.

They have decided to continue with the gesture during the tournament in Qatar after recent talks.

"It's what we stand for as a team and have done for a long period of time," said Southgate.

"We feel this is the biggest and we think it's a strong statement that will go around the world for young people, in particular, to see that inclusivity is very important."

Premier League players use specific moments throughout the season to take the knee rather than making the gesture at every match.

This is a timely moment to again remind you of the controversies surrounding this World Cup.

BBC Analysis editor Ros Atkins looks at how Qatar won the World Cup, as well as the human rights and environmental issues surrounding the tournament...

To read more about the decision by England and Wales not to wear OneLove armbands, click here.

England have been on a rollercoaster ride since the 2018 World Cup semi-final.

A year later, they reached the Nations League semi-finals, losing out in extra-time again, this time to the Netherlands.

And then came Euro 2020, the closest any England men's side has come to ending the years of hurt we keep hearing so much about. Played in the summer of 2021, it was an emotional one...

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

And that was it. It all ended gloriously. The end.

Oh, go on then, I guess we have to acknowledge it...

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Andy Cryer
BBC Sport in Qatar

Less than two hours before kick-off and the atmosphere is slightly surreal.

So different to a usual pre-match for an England World Cup opener. Plenty of Iran fans around but very few groups of England supporters, and none of your usual football songs at all.

Just spoken to England fan Mike, who is staying at the fans village, and he was saying how different it feels to previous big tournaments.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, .

England will be without midfielder James Maddison and defender Kyle Walker for Monday's game.

Maddison has yet to train in Qatar as he nurses a knee problem picked up playing for Leicester last weekend, while Walker is still working his way back to fitness after groin surgery.

Iran are hopeful Sardar Azmoun will be fit for their tournament opener. The Bayer Leverkusen forward has not played since suffering a calf injury at the start of October.

Go on Gareth, be bold! Kane at the back, Maguire in attack.

Here is some actual early team news...

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales in Doha

In the main media centre in Doha, an England team graphic just flashed up on one of the big screens.

Harry Maguire appeared on the left wing in a 4-4-2, which suggests this may not be the actual line-up Gareth Southgate has selected.

We've got some early potential team news from Doha regarding England...

Cheers Gaz. You go get yourself a sarnie, mate.

I've had a bucket of coffee this morning so I'm ready to rock and roll.

It has already been a busy morning for news - not least of all the development that England will not wear OneLove armbands for today's game - but things are only going to get more lively over the new few hours.

We're 90 minutes away from England's World Cup campaign starting.