It is finally here. Tonight Mexico will play South Africa in the opening game.&nbsp;Will it be a tournament for the ages or a step too far for over heated and over worked players?So, a quick look at England - Bellingham or Rogers, Rashford or Gordon?Your favourite World Cup opening games; teams we'd love to see do well and&nbsp;Tom Clarke's mad challenge to watch every match - what are his chances?Gregor details his recent trip to Croatia to meet Luka Modric; what to eat if you're staying up all night and is 4-4-2 about to make a massive come back!?Tom is joined by Gregor Robertson and Alyson Rudd.From tomorrow we'll be here every morning with your essential World Cup Daily Briefing - listen every morning and don't miss a thing. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

WORLD CUP DAY 1: The Azteca, Team USA and a cave

The thinking fan's&nbsp;football podcast,&nbsp;providing previews and reviews of all the action - every Monday and Thursday.&nbsp;Listen to the best of The Times and The Sunday Times journalists as they cover the biggest sport on the planet; from winners to losers, who's in and out on the transfer roundabout, tactical developments, data analysis and the dreaded VAR.Hosted by Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson alongside special guest appearances, the team bring you the latest on the Premier League and the EFL, as well as a front-row seat to international tournaments including the Champions League, European Championships and World Cups.We know football isn't life and death. It's much more serious than that. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.