An army of England fans jetted into Doha for the World Cup on Sunday morning - joining a sea of team colours from around the globe.
They mixed with scores of supporters from Wales, Ecuador, America, Iran, Mexico, Brazil, Serbia and Argentina. Around 1.2m supporters from 32 nations will come together for a historic tournament, the first in World Cup history in the Middle East.
It is also the first time visitors have met in one city, with the eight venues little more than half an hour from each other on the new Metro system from Doha's Hamad International Airport.
Superfans Brian Geddis, 63, and Gary Bown, 62, are staying on the QEII for a month in Dubai after a two-night stay on the MSC Europa in Doha for our opening game against Iran. Army veteran Brian, of Stafford, said: "We met in Russia - we were called Dad's Army there. We are here until December 21 whatever happens."
Semi-retired textile boss Gary, 62, of Leicester, has spent around £10,000 on his £4,000 business class flight to Doha, a £4,500 cabin on the QEII, £1,000 for two nights on the MSC Europa and flights to and from Dubai.
"Travelling with England, you get to see places which you would never have seen otherwise," said Gary, who has been to every major tournament with England since the South Africa World Cup in 2010. I think that I can go 90 minutes without a beer."
Brothers George and Alex Field, from Birmingham, were flying their Aston Villa England flag at the Doha's Hamad International Airport. George, 30, who works for a retro games company, told how they had spent around £3,000 each on a 10-day trip including £1200 on accommodation - the first two on the MSC Europa - and £1,000 each on flights.
"It is my first ever World Cup so it is all new to me. I went to the Nations League and qualifiers so that I would qualify for tickets with the England fans club." Civil servant Alex joked: "Our dad is flying out too, we will keep an eye on him."
Dedicated Three Lions fans Brian Robson, 60, of Ashington, Northumberland, Mark Trigg, 48, of Derby, and Ian Dandy, 50, and Ian Holland, 68, both from Bognor Regis, are part of the England fans FC group.
"I have spent about £2,000 just on tickets," said Brian, a paint worker. "We have been all around the world following England."
Three Lions supporter Jaime Castillo, 33, a flight attendant, arrived from Miami, in his Man Utd shirt. "I have tickets for all of the England group games," he said. "I think they will win the group then play Denmark in the next round." His Spanish-born dad, also Jaime, became an England fan after living in London for 15 years.
Iran fans and twin brothers Lavi and Saeed Hamid, 34, from the city of Mashha, were part of a 10-strong group who had spent £25,000 on tickets and accommodation. "I can't believe that we cannot get a drink at the grounds," said Lavi. "We have spent more than 30,000 US dollars to be here. What a bad decision not to let fans have a drink before the game." He believes Iran will beat England 2-1.
There were huge numbers of Mexico fans in Sombreros, alongside dancing Brazilian fans who lined up to take photos and gyrate to a beat box and Argentina fans taking selfies and posing with England supporters.
Superfan Santiago Lopez, from Tijuana, spent 7,000 US dollars to see his side play against Argentina. He drove from Mexico to LA, then flew to London where he danced with England and Wales fans at Heathrow airport.
"I had to get some fish and chips," said Santiago, a Liverpool fan. "And some really fantastic ales. I was singing with the England and Wales boys, but I have no idea what the words were. I was stoked.
"I am going to see France v Australia, Holland v Cameroon, Japan v Germany, Brazil v Serbia and Spain v Costa Rica. I am staying in a camper van, a shipping container, a fans village - I can't get wild about that, but I won't be there for long."
Mexico fan Victor Montano, 57, is already taking home the World Cup trophy - he has one on his head. The replica is attached to a special world cup hat which he built at home in San Francisco. He was posing up with fans from around the world, and joked: "I will see Brazil, US, Wales, Spain and Costa Rica. It will be great."
Mexican wrestler Mike Sierra has a ticket for our game against USA. "I love the Premier League," he said. Many of his countrymen wore giant Sombreros.....not many were planning to see England like Mike.
Ecuador fans Alex Bilbao, 28, and Francisco Gonzales, 35, from Quito, were part of a 16-strong group who forked out £80,000 for tickets and accommodation.
Alex attacked Fifa's decision not to sell alcohol at stadiums, saying: "It sucks, it is unbelievable. It would be different if they made this decision six months ago before we bought all our tickets.
"We understand they have a different culture. Just letting the rich people in hospitality have a drink - that sucks as well."
Pest controller Francisco added: "With tickets and accommodation, it is about £5,000 each, that is a lot of money. We like to have a drink at a game....alcohol runs through our veins."
There were huge queues for a drink at the giant fan zone in Doha, which opened last night. Beer was being served from 6.30pm, with thirsty fans desperate for their first beer of the tournament.
General manager Alan Mohammed, 39, from Greenford, west London. He is at the tournament with wife Luna, 35, and children Loay, 11, (corr) and Selina, eight.
He said: “We have tickets for all the matches to the semi final. We are very excited and very hopeful that England will do well. “Let’s hope they go all the way and get to the final. It will be such a fantastic experience for us all - particularly the children.”
