And so it begins... Russia ready for World Cup kick-off

PRECISELY 1,432 days after Mario Gotze’s extra-time goal saw Germany add a fourth star to their jersey, Russia and Saudi Arabia today (4pm) take to the field to start another chapter in the history of the FIFA World Cup.

Both sides come into the fixture on a rather undesirable run of recent form. Russia have failed to win in seven non-competitive attempts since beating Korea Republic in October, while the Saudis have lost three friendly matches in a row albeit to strong opposition in Italy, Peru and World Cup holders Germany.

Both will also be hoping for victory at the Luzhniki to end a barren run at the global finals: Russia have not won at the World Cup since 2002, while Saudi Arabia’s last global finals’ victory came at USA 1994.

Fernando Hierro will lead Spain at the World Cup after head coach Julen Lopetegui was dramatically sacked on the eve of the tournament.

Spanish preparations were thrown into turmoil as Lopetegui lost his job following Tuesday’s announcement he would leave to take over at Real Madrid after the finals in Russia.

Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales removed Lopetegui from the post just two days before the national team’s Group B opener against Portugal.

Rubiales had been riled by being told of Lopetegui’s decision to take the Real job just five minutes before it was made public.

“We have been forced to dispense with the national coach. We wish him the best of luck,” he said.

“I don’t want to get into how Real Madrid should go about things. The Spanish team is the team of all Spain.

“If it had been up to Julen it wouldn’t have happened in this way and I wouldn’t have found out five minutes beforehand.

“The negotiation occurred without the RFEF having any information. (We were told) just five minutes before the press release. We have a way of behaving that needs to be adhered to.”

The 2026 World Cup will take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico, FIFA has announced.

The United bid won ahead of Morocco with 67 per cent of the 203 votes cast at the FIFA congress in Moscow.