England stars arrive at Volgograd Arena ahead of World Cup opener against Tunisia  

Jesse Lingard and Dele Alli will look to prove they can play together in midfield as both have been named in England’s starting line-up against Tunisia.

Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate has kept his line-up for the first group game out of the press but players were aware of who would get the nod during a behind-closed-doors training session in the last few days.

Jordan Pickford has, as expected, been selected as the first choice goalkeeper while Leicester City’s Harry Maguire has been chosen to start ahead of the experienced Gary Cahill and he plays alongside John Stones and Kyle Walker. 

John Stones, who starts in the back three, chats to second-choice goalkeeper Jack Butland

One selection dilemma for Southgate appeared to surround both Jordan Henderson and Eric Dier. 

But the boss has opted for Henderson’s big match experience and has produced an attacking line-up instead of going cautious and playing both defensive midfielders. 

Despite his goal in the friendly win over Costa Rica at Elland Road, Marcus Rashford begins with a place on the bench as Raheem Sterling, arguably one of England’s brightest players over the course of the season, playing off Harry Kane in a front two.   

England have had to remain patient for their opening group game having seen the tournament get underway in Moscow on Thursday night.

And with group rivals Belgium swatting aside Panama earlier on Monday, England’s young Lions will be acutely aware that they need to start well and lay down a marker to other teams in the tournament.