Say the words 'World Cup' to me, and you'll prompt visions of hazy summer days, sat outside a local boozer with a pint in hand, taking in the dulcet tones of England fans screeching Sweet Caroline. But not this time around.
The tournament is so synonymous with summer to me - even a rainy English summer - that making my way to Mayfield Depot's dedicated fan zone on a grey November morning felt more than a little odd. With England's first game falling on a Monday at 1pm, against the backdrop of human rights controversies in Qatar, I realised everything I knew about a World Cup atmosphere might be different this time - not least because of the FA's last minute decision to ask captains not to wear the One Love armbands that were supposed to be our small show of solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities.
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