Ahead of this summer's competition in Russia, bwfc.co.uk gets in the mood by reviewing all former editions of the biggest tournament in football and the World Cup Wanderers who were in action!
With the start of the 2018 World Cup just a week away, we relive England's best showing at the tournament since they won it in 1966 with Italia 90 next up in our preview series.
PETER BEARDSLEY
England
Appearances: 5
Goals: 0
Stage reached: Semi-finals
PETER SHILTON
England
Appearances: 7
Goals: 0
Stage reached: Semi-finals
Ever-presents throughout qualifying as England again reached the World Cup without losing a game, winning three and drawing three of their six outings, Italia 90 saw Peter Shilton and Peter Beardsley make their third and second finals appearances respectively.
Having confirmed he would retire from international football at the end of the tournament, the shot-stopper was again an ever-present while he also wore the captain's armband on three occasions as the Three Lions reached the semi-finals.
Opening the tournament with a 1-1 draw against the Republic of Ireland, both players started as Gary Lineker opened the scoring early on only for Kevin Sheedy to equalise midway through the second half.
Shilton kept his first clean sheet of the competition while Beardsley was an unused substitute in England's second game against European champions the Netherlands as the two sides fought out a 0-0 draw.
Facing off against Egypt in their final group game, the Three Lions' chances of progressing were left up in the air with the first two rounds of fixtures all ending in stalemate.
With Shilton taking the captain's armband in the absence of injured skipper Bryan Robson, he kept another clean sheet while Beardsley came on as a late substitue as Mark Wright's solitary strike sealed a 1-0 win for the Three Lions topped their group to reach the knock-out stages.
Beardsley was again unused for England's round-of-16 meeting with Belgium as David Platt's 119th minute volley clinched a 1-0 AET win, with Shilton keeping what would prove to be the final clean sheet of his international career.
Facing Cameroon in the quarter-finals with Shilton again captain, Platt opened the scoring for the Three Lions midway through the first half before Beardsley was brought on as a half-time substitute.
However, the Indomitable Lions turned the game on its head just after the hour-mark with two goals in quick-succession courtesy of a Emmanuel Kunde penalty and further effort from substitute Eugene Ekeke.
Lineker equalised late on for the Three Lions with a penalty of his own to force extra-time, before netting a further spot-kick as England held on to win 3-2 to reach the semi-finals.
Beardsley kept his place for the semi-final against eventual winners West Germany, and scored in the penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw after Lineker had cancelled out Andreas Brehme's opener late on in regular time.
But with Shilton unable to keep out any of the West German kicks, misses from Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle saw England suffer defeat and miss out on a World Cup Final clash with reigning champions Argentina.
Instead taking on hosts Italy in the third place play-off, Shilton captained England in his final international appearance as he won his record 125th cap.
With Beardsley also starting, David Platt cancelled out Roberto Baggio's opener late on, only for England to lose 2-1 to an even later penalty from Salvatore Schillaci as they finished the tournament in fourth place.
ROBERT FLECK
Scotland
Appearances: 2
Goals: 0
Stage reached: Group-stages
Uncapped before the tournament, future Wanderers loanee Robert Fleck was an unused substitute for Scotland's opening game against Costa Rica as they lost 1-0 to an Juan Cayasso strike.
Handed his international debut in the Tartan Army's second outing against Sweden, goals from Stuart McCall and a late Mo Johnston penalty clinched a 2-1 win.
Facing Brazil in their final group game, Fleck came on as a late substitute with Scotland needing to win to stand any chance of progressing.
However, substitute Muller opened the scoring for Brazil minutes later as Fleck and Scotland suffered a 1-0 defeat to exit the competition.
JOHN SHERIDAN
Republic of Ireland
Appearances: 1
Goals: 0
Stage reached: Quarter-finals
GERRY PEYTON
Republic of Ireland
Appearances: 0
Goals: 0
Stage reached: Quarter-finals
Future Wanderers loanees John Sheridan and Gerry Peyton were unused cover for the majority of the Republic of Ireland's historic first ever World Cup finals appearance.
With goalkeeper Peyton serving as deputy to the inspirational Packie Bonner, both players watched on from the sidelines as Ireland reached the knockout stages courtesy of a 1-1 draw with England, 0-0 draw with Egypt and 1-1 draw with the Netherlands (Niall Quinn cancelling out Ruud Gullit's opener).
Sheridan was unused as Ireland reached the quarter-finals with a famous 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Romania following a 0-0 draw.
Facing hosts Italy in the quarter-finals, Salvatore Schillaci opened the scoring shortly before the interval.
With Ireland desperately searching for an equaliser, Sheridan was introduced late on but it was to avail as the Boys in Green exited the competition.
However, Sheridan's time would come in 1994 with the midfielder an ever-present at USA 1994 as Ireland again reached the knockout stages against the odds, taking revenge against Italy along the way.
FERNANDO HIERRO
Spain
Appearances: 0
Goals: 0
Stage reached: Round-of-16
A newcomer to international football, Fernando Hierro sampled his first taste of the World Cup for Spain in 1990 though his role would be limited to just a specator.
An unused squad member throughout the tournament, the Real Madrid star watched on as Spain opened the tournament with a 0-0 draw against Uruguay before Michel's hat-trick saw them clinch a 3-1 win over South Korea.
Progressing to the knockout stages courtesy of a 2-1 win over Belgium, Michel and Alberto Gorriz with the goals, Spain were then knocked out in the round-of-16 by Yugoslavia as a Dragan Stojkovic sealed a 2-1 win after Julio Salinas' late equaliser has forced extra-time.