England with a lot to prove

England have appeared in 14 World Cups, including the last five. Their best performance was 1966, on home soil, when they won the tournament, beating West Germany 4-2 (aet). Their best performance since that triumph was in 1990 when they lost on penalties in the semi-final to West Germany. They reached the quarter-finals in 2002 and 2006 but went out at the group stage in 2014.   Coach: Gareth Southgate   Key players: Harry Kane: The striker, who will be England's captain, will be central to their hopes in Russia and he has something to prove after looking exhausted throughout the 2016 European Championship finals. His 12 goals in 23 appearances for his country have shown he can translate his prolific form for Tottenham Hotspur (30 Premier League goals this past season) to the international stage and with his club mate Dele Alli likely to play behind him, the Spurs link could be crucial.   Raheem Sterling: The former Liverpool winger has improved his all-round game significantly under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and his pace, skill and ability to go past defenders could provide the moments of inspiration England will need in a squad otherwise short of stardust. The 23-year-old has not always delivered in England colours, though, and will be desperate to do so this time.   Form guide: England have conceded one goal, from a penalty, in their last six games which include goalless draws with World Cup favourites Germany and Brazil, a 1-0 win over the Netherlands and a 1-1 draw with Italy. Their last loss was a 3-2 friendly defeat by France in Paris in June, 2017.   Prospects: England will be confident of progressing from Group G where they play Tunisia, Panama and, in their final game, Belgium.   The Belgians, inspired by Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, will be the biggest threat to England but both sides could be in situations where a draw might suit.   Should England make it to the second round, they will play the first or second-placed team from Group H which features Poland, Colombia, Senegal and Japan.   However Southgate's team could be up against Brazil or Germany in the quarter-finals.  

Talented Belgium raring to go

Belgium have appeared in 12 World Cups, with their qualification for the 2014 edition in Brazil coming after a gap of 12 years. The Red Devils lost to Argentina in the quarter-finals in Brazil and their best performance remains their semi-final appearance in 1986 when they fell to the eventual champions, also Argentina.   Coach: Roberto Martinez   Key players: Kevin de Bruyne: The 26-year-old Manchester City midfielder has been the driving force in Pep Guardiola's record-breaking side. De Bruyne's work rate and ability to produce a procession of pinpoint passes took City to a new level, leaving all other title aspirants lagging way behind.   Eden Hazard: The Chelsea playmaker had a similar impact in Chelsea's Premier League-winning campaign a year ago, much like De Bruyne's this time around. Hazard's dribbling and movement, on and off the ball, constantly pose questions for defenders and the 27-year-old can carve through the toughest of defences when in form.   Romelu Lukaku: The 24-year-old striker, who joined Manchester United at the beginning of the season, is a proven goalscorer with more than 100 strikes in the Premier League and is already Belgium's all-time top scorer with 33. With a dazzling midfield featuring De Bruyne and Hazard, Belgium will depend heavily on Lukaku to find the net.   Form guide: After drawing 3-3 against Mexico in Brussels last November, Roberto Martinez's side went on to beat Japan 1-0 four days later and then picked up a confidence-boosting 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia towards the end of March. They will play three more warm-up matches in June before kicking off their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 18.   Prospects: Like four years ago in Brazil, Belgium will once again arrive on the world stage in Russia replete with talent who ply their trade in top leagues across Europe. They showed what they are capable of during World Cup qualification. While few doubt their attacking prowess, the jury is still out on their defensive organisation. They will be expected to top Group G which includes England, Panama and Tunisia, but will need a solid backline to ensure the campaign does not end up as another missed opportunity.  

Panama embrace underdog tag

Panama will be making their debut at the World Cup finals. They first entered the World Cup qualifiers for the 1978 tournament in Argentina.   Coach: Hernan Dario Gomez Key players: Gabriel Gomez: Defensive midfielder who has won more than 140 caps since his debut in 2004. He has played in four World Cup qualifying competitions and seven CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments. The 33-year-old's club career has taken him to Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, the United States, Portugal and Cyprus and his current side, Colombia's Atletico Bucaramanga, is the 18th of his remarkable career.   Roman Torres: The dreadlocked defender is the linchpin of the defence and became Panama's unlikely hero when he scored the last minute goal that took them to the World Cup finals at the expense of the United States and Honduras. The 32-year-old, who was sidelined for most of the 2016 season with a cruciate ligament injury, has won more than 100 caps.   Alberto Quintero: In a side based on tactical organisation, hard work and defensive solidity, the 28-year-old Quintero, usually to be found on the right of the midfield, is the main creative influence. He is already approaching his 100th cap but, despite his international experience, his club career has been a mixed bag which has taken him to Major League Soccer but also the Mexican second division.   Form guide: Panama have struggled in friendlies since qualifying for the World Cup, losing to Iran and Denmark by single goals, drawing with Wales and being thumped 6-0 by Switzerland. They did manage wins in low-key friendlies against Grenada and Trinidad. Panama reached the quarter-finals of the Gold Cup last year before losing 1-0 to Costa Rica. Their last 10 competitive internationals have produced four wins, three draws and three defeats.   Prospects: Drawn in Group G, Panama will be thrown in at the deep end by facing Belgium in their opening game. They then face England and finally Tunisia. Coach Hernan Dario Gomez admits that his team are rank outsiders and that he would be happy with a single victory. Should they pull off a sensation and qualify, then Gomez's native Colombia would be among their potential opponents in the last 16.  

Tunisians seek to defy odds

Tunisia are appearing in the World Cup for the fifth time, a run which started in Argentina in 1978, but the North Africans have not made it to a tournament since 2006. After beating Mexico 3-1 in their opening game in 1978, the Tunisians have not won another World Cup finals match and have never made it beyond the first round. In 2002, they drew 1-1 with Belgium, whom they will face again in Group G. In 1998, they lost 2-0 to England, whom they will play in their opening game in Russia.   Coach: Nabil Maaloul   Key players: Wahbi Khazri: Khazri will be under pressure to step into the role vacated by injured playmaker Youssef Msakni. Khazri knows about the England players he will face on June 18 having had a spell at Sunderland before being loaned to Rennes in France last year. Khazri has struggled to maintain his form in France but scored the only goal in Tunisia's 1-0 friendly win over fellow World Cup qualifiers Costa Rica in March, taking his goal tally for his country to 12 in 37 games.   Anice Badri: Another attacking midfielder, Badri scored a crucial goal in September when he sealed the North Africans' late comeback against their main rivals for qualification, the Democratic Republic of Congo. Badri volleyed home a 79th-minute equaliser in the 2-2 draw in Kinshasa.   Syam Ben Youssef: One of a clutch of central defenders vying for a starting spot in Russia, Ben Youssef has featured in most of Tunisia's recent matches and was a key factor in the team's unbeaten qualifying campaign.   Form guide: The North Africans have risen up FIFA's rankings to their highest ever 14th place, boosted by friendly wins over fellow qualifiers Iran and Costa Rica.   Prospects: The Eagles of Carthage are underdogs against England and Belgium but should be too strong for Panama who are making their World Cup tournament debut.   Should they defy the odds and make it to the second round, Tunisia would play the first or second-placed team from Group H which features Poland, Colombia, Senegal and Japan.