By Jake Humphrey BBC Sport presenter

Peter Crouch has a lot to answer for.

People often mention 'the good old days' and I remember them well. Those carefree times when I could happily travel the world without having the name of England and Liverpool's awkwardly effective striker yelled at me from every cafe, street corner or residential balcony.

I am quite sure it is not only me that suffers this fate - to every person over 6ft 3in reading this, I feel your pain!

A good start against Hiroshi Ohashi's side is a must for England on Tuesday

Since arriving in Shanghai on Friday morning I have become somewhat of a novelty in this vast, sprawling and vibrant city - it seems people here in the Far East are just not used to seeing tall people.

They stare and take photos, maybe thinking that I am about to crack out the old robo-dance as I cross three lanes of busy traffic or tuck into some delicious noodles. Sorry, but it just ain't happening!

Anyway, down to business. The 2007 Women's World Cup, a tournament that is attracting the cream of the world's female footballing talent.

606: DEBATE How far can England go in China?

Ghana are the surprise package but certainly the Black Queens deserve their place here, purely for having established themselves as the second force in African football behind Nigeria, but here is a quite remarkable fact; they are ranked as the 47th best side in the world. Below Chinese Taipei, Vietnam and even Myanmar!

Unfortunately, England don't share Ghana's group.

They have the considerably tougher challenges of reigning World Champions Germany, South America's number one side Argentina and, up first, Japan.

A good start against Hiroshi Ohashi's side is a must for England on Tuesday before they face a German side who played eight, won eight and scored 31 goals in their qualifying campaign.

Jake Humphrey talks to England coach Hope Powell

It is a tough group but one that should bring out the best in Hope Powell's gifted and highly fit squad.

It all gets under way on Monday at the impressive Hongkou stadium here in Shanghai. We paid our first visit to the ground yesterday and I must admit to being a little surprised.

My only previous experience of a World Cup was last year's highly-controlled finals in Germany. Yesterday's experience was quite different as we drove right up to the stadium where they were rehearsing the opening ceremony.

We were not too bothered by security - that will be because there wasn't any!

I have also been touched by how friendly the locals are. Particularly the very elegantly entitled 'Guest Service Officer - Service Excellence Department' - who shall remain nameless

We are so used to our stadia being these virtually hermetically sealed micro-cities where you need to have your eyeballs scanned, your lunchbox strip-searched and your pass studied for 20 minutes by a 17-year-old on work experience just to get near them.

I was pleasantly surprised by the relaxed atmosphere and the interested locals milling around the ground that will both open and close this year's ceremony - the stadium actually felt like part of the city.

I wasn't quite so impressed by the vast amount of technical work that looked like it needed doing in the next 48 hours. Some massive black cables were being hung between two roofs by a bunch of Chinese engineers who had either not read or received their risk assessment forms. Rusty ladders - whatever next!

I have also been touched by how friendly the locals are. Particularly the very elegantly entitled Guest Service Officer - Service Excellence Department - who shall remain nameless.

I was very happy for her to offer me a 20-minute tour of my average-sized hotel room, intrigued that she wanted to take photos of me, mildly alarmed when she asked for my e-mail address and slightly panicked when she told me that we will become "very close friends" in the 26 days I am here.

I have since stuck up four photos of my recent wedding above my bed in case she makes another surprise appearance in the next few days. I will keep you updated.

Right, I am now off to do some interviews with the Japanese side and then we are paying a visit to England at their training complex.

Don't forget BBC TWO is showing highlights late on Monday evening of Germany v Argentina and England's first match against Japan is live at 1245 BST on Tuesday. Tune in.