In pictures: England fans descend on Manaus ahead of World Cup opener

England fans have descended on Manaus in their thousands as Roy Hodgson’s men prepare to kick-start their 2014 World Cup campaign against Italy.

The Football Association have sold around 2,500 tickets to England supporters, but as many as 8,000 are expected inside the 42,000-capacity Arena da Amazônia.

Despite failing to start any of England’s World Cup warm-up matches, Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling will be thrown in from the start under the unrelenting Amazon sun.

FA chairman Greg Dyke joined some supporters for a boat trip out of Manaus earlier this morning, when temperatures peaked at 34 degrees, and while that figure is expected to drop in time for kick-off, the humidity will be stifling.