The ICC World Cup will begin at 3pm (IST) on Thursday, with hosts England taking on South Africa in the opening match at the Oval.
A number of experts and former players have rated England as being among the favourites to win the World Cup, citing the home side's powerful batting line-up and all-round excellence. England have won 15 of their last 19 ODI series.
The side, led by Eoin Morgan, boasts a powerful batting line-up with the likes of Morgan, Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root and Jos Buttler, all of whom can change the course of an innings rapidly.
Speaking to mediapersons, former England batting star Kevin Pietersen heaped praise on England captain Eoin Morgan for transforming the side's approach.
"It's just beautiful to see the way English players are playing now. It's something that makes me so happy, to see them fully committed to their strokes, the way they don't fear failure, and how they are allowed to fail, the way they are backed," he said.
South Africa, led by Faf du Plessis, are without retired star batsman A.B. de Villiers. South Africa will look to the experience of du Plessis and the fire-power of wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock to boost their batting.
Pace bowling spearhead Dale Steyn will not play in the opening match of the World Cup owing to a shoulder injury. However, South Africa will have the services of Kagiso Rabada, who has been declared fit after a back injury.
All 10 sides in the World Cup will play each other once in a round-robin format, before the semifinal stage. The final of the World Cup will be held on July 14.