Boris Johnson blows city’s trumpet as crowds pack Trafalgar Square

Hundreds of Londoners gathered in Trafalgar Square today to watch the opening ceremony of the World Cup on a giant screen.

Mayor Boris Johnson joined tourists and children who had been given the day off school to watch the first game of the tournament between the host nation and Mexico.

Mr Johnson said the eyes of the world would be on London to see how the city dealt with World Cup fever before its 2018 Cup bid. He said he would watch England's first match from home.

He said: "When we proceed to the semi-final, which I am sure we will, I will make sure there is a venue where a lot of Londoners can watch it. We will see what happens."

Andrew Kark, 26, from Cape Town, has lived in London for a year. "I am hoping we get through the group stage.

"It is a do-or-die game today," he said.