Players are arriving in Qatar for training, while coaches are facing the media ahead of opening group games.

Keep track of the latest news leading up to football's biggest international competition.

Denmark's and Germany's team captains will wear OneLove armbands when they take the pitch at the World Cup in Qatar as they prepare to compete in a country where same-sex relations are illegal.

The England, Wales and Netherlands captains had earlier said they would wear that armband — despite FIFA offering ones related to its own campaigns to all competing nations.

"I know our captain will be wearing the OneLove armband," Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen said of captain Simon Kjaer at a news conference in Doha. "What the consequences will be, I don't know, but we'll see."

German goalkeeper and captain Manual Neuer said: "We have the support of the German FA, our president and those responsible and so we have no fear.

"We are not the only ones (to wear the armband). We want to make a statement together."

John Herdman says Alphonso Davies is relishing a World Cup debut but urged caution over his fitness after a recent hamstring injury.

Canada are gearing up for a first appearance in the World Cup in 36 years but Bayern Munich star Davies could yet be wrapped up in cotton wool for their opener against Belgium on Wednesday.

"He's really excited," Herdman said of Davies. "Who wouldn't be when you see an 80-foot poster of yourself when you are driving into your hotel?

"(He's) still building toward top speed. But he hasn't hit that top speed yet.

"When you have hamstring injuries, there's always the key moment. That's when the hamstring is pushed, pushed to its limits."

Canada face games against Morocco and Croatia in Group F after taking on Roberto Martinez's side.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been dominating the headline for his actions off the field following his tell-all TV interview but the Portugal international was back training with his World Cup team-mates today after a bout of gastroenteritis.

Bernardo Silva faced the media ahead of an opener against Ghana on Thursday and Ronaldo was still top of the agenda.

“The news that comes from England has nothing to do with the national team so I won’t say anything. It doesn't concern me, it concerns Cristiano: I don’t have to comment," the Manchester City player said.

Asked about a video that appeared to show a frosty meeting between Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva said: "Ronaldo and Bruno? I don’t see any weird environment between Cristiano and Bruno. It’s something that belongs to Cristiano. It’s a personal matter and I don’t see a big deal out of it."

On Ronaldo's state of mind, Bernardo Silva added: "Top... top, top, top."

Matty Cash has revealed he has asked Aston Villa team-mate Emi Martinez to bag him a Lionel Messi shirt while on Argentina duty.

Cash is gearing up to face Mexico first with Poland but will come up against Martinez and Messi on November 30 in group C.

"I asked him for Messi’s shirt if that’s possible," Cash said at a press conference.

"Obviously we’re teammates at Villa but it’s another massive game with another strong opponent. Obviously when we step on the pitch we become rivals."

Asked about the challenge faced by Poland's opening opponents, he said: "We studied Mexico today and yesterday. They’re a really good team but we have to believe as well that we have talent all over the pitch. We’ve got so many players who can make a difference at any time. Mexico are good but we have to believe that we’re better."

Brazil are heading for Qatar as they bid for a record-extending sixth World Cup title.

Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes and Liverpool's Alisson have been among the players posting snaps on the journey to the tournament, with Serbia their first opponents on Thursday.

Head coach Tite has plenty of depth in his ranks — take a deep dive into Brazil's squad and chances below...

Qatar coach Felix Sanchez says criticism of the World Cup host will not be allowed to "destabilise" his team.

Qatar kicks off the tournament against Ecuador on Sunday with the eyes of the world on the Gulf state that has faced criticism for its human rights record, including its treatment of migrant workers and the LGBTQ+ community.

Sanchez, a Spaniard who led Qatar to triumph in the 2019 Asian Cup, said he and his players have had to shut out the issues that have surrounded the conservative Muslim nation in the run-up to the tournament.

"The best thing that can happen is to focus on football, keep calm and avoid the noise and rumours," he said. "Obviously we don't like it when people criticize our country. We managed to have great preparation, kept calm and that's how we planned this.

England defender Eric Dier has spoken about the “terrible situation” of migrant construction workers in Qatar and admitted the political issues surrounding the tournament have detracted from the excitement of an impending World Cup.

Controversy has raged since the Gulf state was awarded the tournament in 2010, with criticism centred on the Gulf state’s human rights record, criminalisation of homosexuality and construction worker deaths understood to be in the thousands.

The Tottenham defender, facing the media ahead of England’s opener against Iran on Monday, said: “A lot of things have already happened — a lot of things are very disappointing. Those will always be in my mind.

“I’m talking about the buildings of the stadiums, obviously it’s a terrible situation.

“Of course it’s taking away (from excitement), because we’re sitting here talking about it instead of talking about football, so of course it’s talking a lot of that away for us.

“But we can’t hide from it, it’s here. It would be wrong to ignore it. And at the same time, we’re here to play football."

Serbia warmed up for their World Cup opener against Brazil with a 5-1 win over Bahrain yesterday.

Aleksandar Mitrovic was not involved as he continues a special training programme to aid his recovery from a foot injury.

But Serbia's assistant coach Ljubinko Drulovic has said he is optimistic the Fulham striker will be fit to face the top-ranked side on Thursday and Mitrovic himself has talked up his readiness.

"Well, if I wasn't ready, I wouldn't have been invited," he said after the Bahrain game. "I am, I'm working, I'm recovering, my recovery is nearing the end. I need another day or two and I'll be back from Monday. God (willing), I hope everything will be fine."

Asked whether his lack of playing time heading into the tournament could be an issue, he added: "I think I'm at an age where I can deploy my strength, play a little on experience, know how to save where I need to. I think it really won't be a problem. Physically I really feel nice, good and ready."

The tournament starts tomorrow, which means grumbling about officials is almost upon us, too.

FIFA’s referee chief, Pierluigi Collina, has said that player safety and strict sanctions are at the forefront of his plans for the tournament, promising a hard-line approach on dangerous tackles, obstruction and simulation.

More from Collina, plus all you need to know about the technology that will be used, below...

Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug missed their training session earlier today with the flu.

Fullkrug, 29, was named in Germany's World Cup squad as an uncapped player after a hugely successful start to the season with Werder Bremen.

He scored on his Germany debut earlier this week, grabbing the winner in a 1-0 win over Oman.

The RB Leipzig forward was forced to withdraw from the France squad earlier this week and was replaced by Eintracht Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani.

The former Spurs and PSG boss joined the Totally Football Show to talk about the impending World Cup.

Matt Slater has the full story of how, 12 years ago, Qatar was awarded the rights to host the 2022 World Cup...

Jack Pitt-Brooke unpicks whether Qatar could be the final time we see Gareth Southgate managing England.

A reminder - England have not won in six matches heading into the World Cup, a run which includes two Nations League defeats by Hungary.

They are one of the last teams to arrive, with their first game not until Thursday.

Ghana touched down in Doha last night, six days before their opener against Portugal next Thursday.

And by the looks of the crowd outside their hotel, they are going to be very well supported.

Still scrambling to up your knowledge ahead of the kick-off? We've got your covered with a guide to every team at the tournament...

Our writers Nick Miller and Laurie Whitwell are on day 16 of The Athletic's planes, trains and automobiles trip to Qatar.

Referees at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be taking a hard line on dangerous tackles, obstruction and simulation, the 32 participating teams have been warned.

Speaking at a pre-tournament media briefing in Doha on Friday, FIFA referees committee chairman Pierluigi Collina showed journalists clips of foul play that will be punished with red cards at the tournament, as well as a medley of recent goals that will be chalked off in the coming weeks.