Lamine Yamal’s potential absence from Spain’s opener would be a huge blow – but, as Chris Wilson writes, there are plenty of interchangeable pieces within the European champions’ squad.

Lamine Yamal is touch-and-go to be fit for Spain’s World Cup opener against Cape Verde on Monday.

The 18-year-old superstar has been out since late April due to a left hamstring injury but is now back in full squad training.

Yamal lit up the international stage at the European Championships two years ago at just 16 years of age. Will he be fit enough to star this summer in North America?

Here is a reminder of the schedule today, and how you can watch all of the action.

Sunday 14 June

Germany vs Curacao (Group E) – 6pm BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

Netherlands vs Japan (Group F) – 9pm BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

Monday 15 June

Ivory Coast vs Ecuador (Group E) – 12am BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

Sweden vs Tunisia (Group F) – 3am BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

Sweden get into the swing of things a little later. Their last World Cup in the United States saw the Swedes emerge as the competition’s great entertainers, as Lawrence Ostlere details:

It’ll be interesting to see the attendance in Houston a little later with Germany playing Curacao. The World Cup debutants represent an island with a population of about double the capacity of the NRG stadium – though there is a larger diaspora with links to Curacao around the world and in the Netherlands particularly, of course.

Clarke had already become the only manager to lead them to three major tournaments. Now none have more wins at a World Cup, even if that is only one. “How difficult it is for a country like Scotland to go to a World Cup and win games,” said Clarke. “It doesn’t happen very often.”

Is Nico O’Reilly a certain starter for England? Lawrence Ostlere has predicted the team.

Nico O’Reilly wants England to start their World Cup campaign “all guns blazing” against Croatia.Thomas Tuchel’s men are stepping up preparations for Wednesday’s Group L opener in Dallas having arrived at their Kansas City base following a warm-weather camp in Florida.

England are among the favourites for glory this summer and O’Reilly wants them to kick off their World Cup campaign with a statement win against 2018 World Cup semi-final foes Croatia on Wednesday.

“We’ve been acclimatising to the heat, a lot of training and then with the two games where everyone got some minutes,” the Manchester City player said.“In a way (it’s been like a pre-season) but it’s been intense. Obviously, we need to get ready for the tournament, and it’s been good. I think we just need to go out there all guns blazing and show them what we’re made of.”

Those mid-half hydration breaks don’t get any easier to enjoy. Lawrence Ostlere wants rid of them