England

Morgan Rogers talking to ITV before the game against New Zealand: "It's so exciting, It's a young boys dream to be in the position. It's our first test and looking forward to it."

On the heat: "It's hot as expected. It's hot for everyone here though. We've got a job to do so we will try and get used to it."

On whether the heat will affect performance: "We are going to have to push ourselves to the limit on what we can and can't do and how to handle it. Strategy is going to be a big thing and we need to used to that as much as possible."

On New Zealand being the lowest ranked side: "They're a good team, they're here for a reason and they qualified as we did. We will take them at face value, we will look at the clips. We're putting on the shirt to try and win this game and that's what we will do."

Image source, Getty Images

Here come the players.

England sporting their red away kit. New Zealand wearing all white.

It's not a full-capacity stadium. But the fireworks are going off as the teams line up for the national anthems.

Quite the attacking line-up, that, with 108 goals between the below players:

• Morgan Rogers - 14
• Marcus Rashford 14
• Ollie Watkins - 21
• Harry Kane - 61

Karen Carney
Former England midfielder on ITV

I think Tuchel's gone for athletes. There's nobody really under six foot. He's gone for robust players who can deal with the heat. I think he's gone for physicality and athletes. I think he's really thought this through and hopefully he's got it right.

England

Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa also spoke with BBC's senior football reporter Ian Dennis about the "winners" in the Three Lions squad ahead of their first World Cup warm-up match against New Zealand.

On what gives him confidence looking around the dressing room, Konsa said: "Winners, we have got a lot of winners like I said and when you look around and [you] have so many winners, you have to believe and you have to put trust in every single one of the players."

"We have got a lot of winners in the team, the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Carabao Cup, FA Cup, Conference League and obviously us Villa boys [winning the Europa League] as well.

"I think that gives everyone coming in confidence, a lot of belief, but I would say the mentality is the same to come here and win. It’s the winning mentality that you have to have, but obviously getting my first ever trophy makes me hungry for more."

Image source, Getty Images

Thomas Tuchel confirmed in his news conference on Friday that there is still time for players to earn their place in his starting XI for the World Cup.

In these friendly matches teams can make up to 11 substitutions if they wish to and Tuchel could do just that tonight.

So who has done enough to earn their place in the starting line up? Whose position is up for grabs?

While we're on the topic of reminders...

We've put together this handy guide with everything you need to know about the tournament.

From who has qualified to when the games will be played, we've got you covered.

Here's a reminder of England's group campaign. I'm sure you've all got your diaries marked but just in case...

GROUP L

• England v Croatia (Wednesday, 17 June - 21:00 BST)
• England v Ghana (Tuesday, 23 June - 21:00 BST)
• Panama v England (Saturday, 27 June - 22:00 BST)

England

Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa spoke to BBC's senior football reporter Ian Dennis ahead of England's first World Cup warm-up match against New Zealand.

On the heat, he said: "It’s clear it’s hot, but it’s something we have to get used to very quickly. We have to adapt, but I think for most players in the team, every pre-season, we come out and play in America or in a hot country.

"It’s something we are kind of used to. We have to adapt quickly and not make any excuses. We know it’s going to be hard, and we have to push through."

Image source, Getty Images

While we're on the subject of extreme weather...

There has been a lot of chat about the heat and how England are going to cope in the sweltering conditions with even the idea of substitutes staying in the dressing room rather than sitting on the bench suggested as an idea.

One thing the Three Lions will be doing is using high-tech palm-cooling devices during the planned water breaks.

The use of palm-cooling equipment is becoming popular among professional athletes, with Manchester United known to use the technology.

Research shows that cooling the palms can significantly lower core body temperature which can prove vital for in-game recovery and ultimately enhance performance.

As we've mentioned there's already plenty of talking points away from the football.

The weather could cause some problems this tournament, much like it did for the Club World Cup last year, where then-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said "this is not football" when his side's match against Benfica was delayed by extreme weather conditions.

It was one of six games at the tournament halted by electrical storms.

So, what happens in the event of an electrical storm?

A mandatory 30-minute countdown begins. Each time there is a lightning strike inside the distance, the countdown clock resets to 30 minutes. But Fifa don't have the power to make their own rules, they must adhere to the guidelines from the authorities.

Read more here.

Stephen Warnock
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live at Raymond James Stadium

There's a lot of talk about whether you would protect Harry Kane from this pitch but he has got to get up to speed in these conditions, learn to play in the humidity and this is going to be a real test on the body.

It's what the players need and 45 minutes is probably the right amount of time to let the players bed into that.

The World Cup hasn't even started yet but, as always with a major tournament, there's plenty of chat already around a number of buzz topics.

The weather, the time zones, the ticket prices and, of course, the pitch.

Tonight's match is being played at the Raymond James Stadium - the home of American Football team the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - and the Daily Mail, external said the playing surface was a 'plug and play' pitch laid just a week ago.

Several pitches for World Cup matches are being played in stadiums that usually have artificial surfaces but which have been relaid with grass.

Travelling ground staff from the Football Association were reported to be liaising with the venue over the pitch which appeared in pictures to be slightly disjointed in parts.

But England have no injury concerns and despite the start of the World Cup being so close, boss Thomas Tuchel said the condition of the pitch "will not affect my team selection". He said that he has "heard" it "will be OK".

The stage is set in Tampa... Despite questions being asked about the pitch.

Image source, Getty Images

The World Cup arrives in the middle of a busy summer of transfers, with several players in Thomas Tuchel's 26-man squad facing uncertain club futures.

Clubs will continue to pursue deals during the five-week long tournament, agents will remain in constant contact with their players and rumours will follow the England stars into the national team camp.

Players who could be on the move during the tournament include Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers has been linked with several clubs while Anthony Gordon's move to Barcelona has already been confirmed but whether Marcus Rashford will be joining him there remains uncertain.

Image source, Getty Images

Ruben: In my personal opinion, the squad he has picked for this tournament is an absolute shambles, particularly in defence. It’s incredibly weak, the experienced players he has left at home is a joke specifically in both full back positions as I think they are miles superior to those he’s picked.

Robert: Bring them home. I have a really bad feeling about this World Cup. TUCHEL OUT.

So, the big question.

What do you make of England's chances at this World Cup?

The Three Lions are currently the third-favourites to win the tournament with the bookmakers. But what do you think?

Let us know in all the usual ways!

A week of acclimatising for England...

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images