Football addicts will be glued to their screens for a month and football haters can settle down knowing they won't be disturbed by 'footy banter' anymore.
The Opening Ceremony, which takes place at the Arena de Sao Paulo, should be a spectacular and fun affair, regardless of which side of the viewing fence you sit on.
Despite reports to the contrary earlier in the week, Jennifer Lopez is expected to be part of the ceremony, performing the official World Cup anthem 'We Are One (Ole Ola)' with Claudia Leitte and Pitbull.
8 World Cup anthems for 2014: The good, the bad and the Macarooney
World Cup Andy Bates teaches DS how to make Brazilian footie snacks.
The rest of the ceremony is described as a tribute to Brazil and its "nature, people and football". There will be 600 performers and a "living" LED ball made of 90,000 light clusters at the centre of the extravaganza.
OPENING CEREMONY: Preparations are well under way for the opening day of the #worldcup - http://t.co/Q9fv8JDABE pic.twitter.com/JHFPXEBIGq
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ā FIFAWorldCup (@FIFAWorldCup) May 13, 2014
ITV has coverage of the ceremony from 7pm.
Match of the Day: Brazil vs Croatia (9pm on ITV)
The hosts kick off the party against the team most likely to cause them problems in Group A, a handy-looking Croatia side.
The Brazilians and most pundits are confident that they will stroll to the latter stages of the competition and if there is going to be a stumbling block, it's likely to be the weight of expectation on their shoulders.
Croatia, without key man Mario Mandzukic, would be happy with a point and that probably means we won't get a stonking 4-3 thriller.
Punditry Bingo Watch "It's samba football!" "It's a carnival atmosphere." "The Croatians are dark horses. They will want to upset the party."
One to Watch: Neymar. The Brazilian and Barcelona striker has a phenomenal international goal-scoring record - 22 goals in his last 28 games.
Sound like you know what you're talking about down the pub: This Croatian midfield is actually one of the strongest in the tournament.
Digital Spy prediction: Brazil 1 - Croatia 0
