Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Dallas Stadium

Dave: Is this a game where England score early and allow fans to breathe a bit, or are we expecting 87 minutes of emotional damage first?

I wish I could answer you with certainty, Dave, but I can't. I was at the press conference with Thomas Tuchel and Harry Kane last night.

Both were in quietly confident mood. We know from past history just how important the first game in any major tournament is, so England will be desperate to get off to winning start.Words of warning though - never, ever under-estimate Croatia, especially not against England.

One of the many thousands who have decamped to Dallas is BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty.

He has been waiting patiently for his chance to answer your questions.

Over to you Phil...

England

It's always important to remember that every England player would more than likely be cheering England on, if they weren't playing in the matches....

Both players and fans have been waiting patiently for this evening's opener, but that waiting is almost over.

Tonight, just before 21:00 BST, six days after the tournament began, the Three Lions will walk out at the Dallas Stadium for their opener against Croatia.

It is difficult to predict how many England fans will turn up, draping the St George's Cross around the stands.

The official England Supporters' Travel Club (ESTC) has sold its allocation of 4,022 tickets. Controversially, a few appear to be listed on Fifa's resale site at inflated prices.

The number of fans who travel independently and the ex-pats is really an unknown.

The United Kingdom Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) told BBC Sport that between 12,000 and 15,000 England fans are expected at each group stage game.

The UKFPU added that 89,000 World Cup tickets have been purchased by fans from England.

That covers all 104 matches and there is no individual breakdown, while most fans will attend more than one fixture.

But that number does not include the supporters who have headed out to the United States without securing tickets.

Germany in 2006 was the high point, with the UKFPU estimating that 350,000 people made the short trip to watch games in stadia but mostly at fan parks.

Only 4,000 are thought to have visited Qatar four years ago, while 20,000 to 30,000 is a more usual figure.

England

Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham has told BBC Sport what it feels like to represent his country at the World Cup:

"I think I'd say the anthem is the last chance you get to really be mindful of the people who have got you there and what it means to be from England," said Bellingham.

"I think about my grandad who passed away just before my England debut, he was so patriotic.

"He was an Englishman through and through, could give you every fact about every war, about every battle, about every king, every queen.

"I do think about my grandad when that moment's coming. But I also think about the rest of my family, the sacrifices they've made to get me to this stage.

"My mum, my dad, my brother, Jobe, being a constant crutch for me."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Many fans have been in Dallas soaking up the atmosphere for a few days.

The general feeling is that travelling to the World Cup in the United States would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But the cost is still weighing heavy.

The price of tickets for the 2026 World Cup has been controversial since the outset, with one England fan calling it a "betrayal" when they went on sale to members of the England Supporters' Travel Club in December.

In Qatar, group stage fixtures had all set prices of £68.50, £164.50 and £219.

But for England's match against Croatia on Wednesday, tickets went on sale for £198, £373 or £523.

"There's eight of us that are all together and we paid about £850 for a ticket each," Michael said as they sat outside a bar.

"That is a lot of money, you can get a season ticket for that."

Their group may have been bigger, but the cost of flights, accommodation and tickets put several people off.

"I hear stories about the stadiums and it's $20 a beer, and food is more than $30," he added.

"It does feel like you are getting gouged. But it's the World Cup.

"I just hope when it comes to 2030 we come back to normality, and things are a bit more sensible."

Read more about the cost for England fans here.

Sure the England team would say "right back at you June". Everyone on the team here wish you all the best on your recovery...

England

While Thomas Tuchel is going to his first major tournament as an international manager, England captain Harry Kane has been here before and is excited by the opportunities by the Three Lions' chances:

"There's a great mix of experience, reaching finals, international finals, also club finals, big matches. So, for sure, we can lean on that experience to help us," Kane told BBC Sport.

"Of course, we've got some great young players. Players who are playing in their first World Cup.

"For sure, it's one of the best opportunities we will have as a team to win it."

Image source, Getty Images

England

So England manager Thomas Tuchel may feel that some of his players need more fine-tuning, but he seems confident in those "14 or 15" he has pegged as starters.

Tuchel spoke to BBC Sport about whether it was his job to temper expectations or to talk them up:

"Neither. We were very clear about what we expect from ourselves - to compete at the highest level. The focus at the moment is on the group stage. Not further. Not get distracted.

"The group starts with a very difficult match, a strong opponent. This is where the focus is, we know what we expect from ourselves, what we want to do. We feel that they are ready to go."

Image source, Getty Images

England

England are in talks over a behind-closed-doors game against Major League Soccer side Sporting Kansas City after the World Cup opener against Croatia.

Any friendly is likely to be played between Wednesday's fixture against Croatia in Dallas (21:00 BST) and England's second group game versus Ghana next Tuesday (21:00 BST).

It is understood that talks over the training match are under way, but sources close to the Football Association say any details or opposition are still to be confirmed.

England have already played one behind-closed-doors game in the USA, against Miami FC during their pre-tournament camp in Florida.

If another friendly goes ahead, it is likely to be used to build match fitness for the players who do not play significant minutes against Croatia.

John Murray
BBC football correspondent on Football Daily

Image source, Getty Images

I sensed a little bit of an edge [in Thomas Tuchel at a news conference yesterday] compared to the other experiences I've had with him over the last 18 months. And I can understand that because this is where it really begins for him in earnest, because that's what he's employed to do - to win the World Cup for England.

It's very real now. There was also a tinge of disappointment having lost Tino Livramento so that was probably eating away somewhere in there.

But also he was talking about thinking about when he was a youngster, coming to the World Cup as a coach. The suggestion was that was a million miles away from him, when he was a boy, to think he would come to the World Cup.

There's an edge of excitement actually, as much as anything else, about the fact that he will be involved in the World Cup for the first time.

Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

This will be England’s first major tournament without Sir Gareth Southgate at the helm in eight years. So, stylistically, what can we expect from his successor?

The hope is that Thomas Tuchel will be able to add a different tactical dimension to the way England play. The indications are that, although there is no major tournament data available for the German yet, we could see a more controlled approach.

In the 14 games under Tuchel, England have averaged significantly more possession than they did throughout Southgate’s tenure.

They have had a whopping 71% of the ball on average under the German, and while more technically proficient teams may await later in the tournament, taking extra care in possession could prove crucial for England players with tired legs in challenging conditions.

With more of the ball, England are understandably completing more passes on average than they did under Southgate and are also getting more touches in the opposition box.

They have also shown greater aggression out of possession since Tuchel took charge. High turnovers per game have risen to an average of 12.2 under Tuchel, compared with 8.1 under Southgate.

For Tuchel, maintaining these numbers at a major tournament will be a test and against higher quality opposition, a dip should be anticipated. Under Southgate, the team’s averages for possession, shots, passing and high turnovers all declined across the 26 games he managed at World Cups and European Championships.

England

England manager Thomas Tuchel, talking to BBC Sport about why he decided to call up Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah in place of the injured Tino Livramento:

"Tino was of course very disappointed and very sad. All of us were," said Tuchel.

"It was kind of a shock in training and when he stopped training and he had the feeling that this could be an injury that costs him the tournament and he was unfortunately right.

"We called Trevoh Chalobah because we then free up Jarell Quansah as a full-back on both sides and Djed Spence can be a full-back on both sides.

"Trevoh comes as a centre-back alternative and gives us full coverage in the back four."

Image source, Getty Images

How to skew your checklist of names: Olivia, Dean, Paris, Harry, Jude, Dallas...

England

Captain Harry Kane is set to earn his 115th England cap on Wednesday - which would put him joint-third on the Three Lions' all-time appearance list, alongside former skipper David Beckham, and behind only Peter Shilton and Wayne Rooney.

The Bayern Munich striker said he has "momentum" coming into the tournament after a season where he scored 61 goals in 51 club appearances, winning the German league and cup double.

"To reach the same number of caps [as Beckham] is a great thing for me," Kane said.

"Beckham was a big idol of mine growing up and obviously hoping and dreaming one day that I would be in the same England shirt as him, that will be a great milestone to hit for sure."

Kane is one five players in the current England squad who featured in the 2018 World Cup semi-final defeat against Croatia.

Croatia, meanwhile, are set to feature midfield great Luka Modric - the Ballon d'Or winner from 2018 - who turned 40 last September.

"Some of the players like [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Lionel] Messi and Modric, being able to do it for 20-plus years is what truly separates the good players from the great players," Kane said.

"I'm extremely proud of being here again and being in my sixth tournament and being in the shape that I am in.

"Maybe in 10 years or so I will look back at everything I have been able to do."

Image source, Getty Images

Always good when you can control the weather via a thermostat!

Helen Willetts
BBC Weather

Another sweltering day in the Dallas sunshine. Very high UV levels will send temperatures to 34C mid-afternoon, not long before kick-off at 16:00 EST - it will actually feel more like 43C when factoring in humidity.

Players and ticket holders alike will be pleased (I'm sure) that the game will be played with the stadium roof on and air conditioning.

Talking about the weather...

Thankfully, England manager Thomas Tuchel knows his starting XI, but who do you want to see in it?

This seems like a good time to bring in BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty, who is available to answer your questions on everything from squad selection to the weather in Dallas.

Send in your England-related questions using the 'Get Involved' button and we will feature a selection of Phil's answers from 13:30 BST.

Thanks.

England

Image source, Getty Images

When questioned by BBC Sport's Kelly Somers on whether he knows his starting XI for England's World Cup opener against Croatia, Thomas Tuchel said: “Yeah, I know my starting XI.”

The England boss said his most difficult decision, however, was picking his 26-man squad for the tournament.

"The toughest [call] was the reduction from the 55 to the 26," said Tuchel.

"There were some really, really tough phone calls. There will be players who compete on the highest level on one position; Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, so that is just natural. Marcus Rahsford, Antony Gordon, the central defenders.

"So basically on every position, but still the energy is in a good place and everyone buys into the idea that you can even push yourself and compete against each other.

"No team has ever won that [the World Cup] without the energy from the bench, without the energy from players who come from the bench, without the guys pushing from the sideline and you can be more than just 11 players."

Watch the full chat between Thomas Tuchel and Kelly Somers here.