FIFA has unveiled the highly anticipated fixtures for the 2018 World Cup, set to kick off on 14 June in Russia. The tournament, featuring 32 teams, will span 12 venues across 11 cities, culminating in the final at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on 15 July. The draw, conducted at the Konstantin Palace in St Petersburg, placed England in Group G alongside Belgium, Panama and Tunisia. Defending champions Germany were drawn in Group F with Mexico, Sweden and South Korea. The opening match will see hosts Russia face Saudi Arabia at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, while the first match of the day will begin at 4pm BST. The fixtures were revealed following the traditional draw ceremony, attended by football legends and dignitaries, marking the start of the countdown to the world’s most-watched sporting event.
FIFA Unveils World Cup 2018 Fixtures
FIFA has announced the full schedule for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, kicking off on 14 June and concluding on 15 July. The tournament will feature 32 teams competing across 12 venues in 11 cities.
Russia will open the tournament against Saudi Arabia at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. The highly anticipated group stage will see teams play against each other in a round-robin format.
The knockout stage begins on 30 June with the Round of 16 matches. The quarter-finals are scheduled for 6 and 7 July, followed by the semi-finals on 10 and 11 July.
The third-place play-off will take place on 14 July, with the final match scheduled for the following day at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed excitement about the upcoming event, stating, “We are ready to deliver a spectacular World Cup.”
The draw for the group stage took place on 1 December 2017 in Moscow. Teams were divided into four pots based on their FIFA World Ranking, with the top seven teams automatically placed in Pot 1.
Each group will consist of four teams, playing a total of six matches. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage. FIFA has confirmed that all matches will be broadcast live across various platforms.
The 2018 World Cup marks the first time the tournament has been held in Eastern Europe. Russia was selected as the host nation in December 2010, beating bids from England, Netherlands/Belgium, Spain/Portugal, and joint bids from Australia and New Zealand.
The tournament will feature several new technologies, including the use of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) to review decisions. FIFA has also implemented a new rule allowing for unlimited substitutions during extra time.
Fans can expect a vibrant atmosphere, with Russia promising to deliver a memorable experience. The official match ball, the Adidas Telstar 18, has been unveiled, featuring a modern design inspired by the original 1970 World Cup ball.
Schedule Confirmed for Russia Tournament
FIFA has confirmed the full schedule for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The tournament will kick off on 14 June with hosts Russia facing Saudi Arabia at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. The group stage will run until 28 June, with 48 matches determining the 16 teams advancing to the knockout rounds.
The round of 16 begins on 30 June, with matches scheduled every other day until the semi-finals on 10 and 11 July. The third-place play-off is set for 14 July, with the final taking place the following day at Luzhniki Stadium. FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated, “We are delighted to present this exciting schedule, which promises thrilling football from the very first match.”
Group A includes hosts Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Uruguay. Defending champions Germany will compete in Group F alongside Mexico, Sweden and South Korea. The schedule balances matches across the 12 host cities, with some venues hosting multiple knockout rounds.
FIFA’s Chief Commercial Officer, Philippe Le Floc’h, noted, “The schedule ensures fair rest periods for teams and maximises fan engagement.” Kick-off times vary, with some matches starting at 14:00 BST and others at 17:00 or 20:00 BST. The final will commence at 17:00 BST.
World Cup 2018 Kickoff Dates Announced
FIFA has officially announced the kickoff dates for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The tournament will commence on 14 June 2018 with the host nation taking on Saudi Arabia in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.
The group stage matches will follow a tight schedule, with four games daily from 15 June to 28 June. This rapid succession of matches aims to maintain momentum and excitement throughout the initial stages.
Russia’s second group match is scheduled for 19 June against Egypt in St. Petersburg. The final group match will see them face Uruguay on 25 June in Samara.
The knockout stages will begin on 30 June with the round of 16 matches. The quarter-finals are set for 6 and 7 July, followed by the semi-finals on 10 and 11 July.
The third-place playoff will take place on 14 July, with the highly anticipated final scheduled for 15 July at the Luzhniki Stadium. FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming tournament, stating, “We are ready to deliver a spectacular World Cup that will captivate fans around the globe.”
The full fixture list was revealed during a draw ceremony in Moscow, attended by football legends and officials. The draw determined the group stage matchups, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling tournament.
Russia Prepares for FIFA World Cup Matches
FIFA has announced the full schedule for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, with the tournament set to kick off on 14 June at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. Russia will face Saudi Arabia in the opening match, with the host nation aiming to make a strong start to their campaign.
The group stage will see 32 teams compete across 12 venues, with matches taking place in 11 cities, including Moscow, St Petersburg, and Sochi. The final will be held at Luzhniki Stadium on 15 July, with the winner lifting the prestigious trophy in front of a global audience.
Russia’s preparations for the tournament are well underway, with stadiums nearing completion and infrastructure projects on track. The country has invested heavily in the event, with a focus on delivering a successful tournament that showcases its capabilities on the world stage.
FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura expressed confidence in Russia’s ability to host a successful World Cup. “We are very pleased with the progress made by Russia in their preparations for the tournament,” she said in a statement. “We are confident that they will deliver a World Cup that meets the high standards set by previous hosts.”
The draw for the group stage took place in Moscow in December 2017, with teams divided into eight groups of four. The top two teams from each group will progress to the knockout stages, which will see the competition narrow down to the final showdown in Moscow.
Fans from around the world are expected to descend on Russia for the tournament, with the country offering a range of cultural and historical attractions. The World Cup is set to provide a significant boost to the Russian economy, with tourism and hospitality sectors benefiting from the influx of visitors.
Teams Brace for World Cup 2018 Fixtures
FIFA has unveiled the highly anticipated fixtures for the 2018 World Cup, set to kick off on 14 June in Russia. The tournament will span 32 days, with 64 matches scheduled across 12 venues in as many host cities.
Russia will face Saudi Arabia in the opening match at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. The defending champions, Germany, will begin their campaign against Mexico on 17 June in Moscow. The final is scheduled for 15 July at the same venue.
England will start their World Cup journey on 18 June against Tunisia in Volgograd. The Three Lions will then face Panama on 24 June in Nizhny Novgorod, and conclude their group stage against Belgium on 28 June in Kaliningrad.
Spain will begin their campaign against Portugal on 15 June in Sochi. The Iberian rivals will meet in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. Spain will then face Iran on 20 June in Kazan, and Morocco on 25 June in Kaliningrad.
France will open their World Cup against Australia on 16 June in Kazan. The French will then take on Peru on 21 June in Yaroslavl, and Denmark on 26 June in Moscow. The Group C matches promise to be tightly contested.
The draw for the tournament’s group stage has pitted some of the world’s top teams against each other. FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura expressed her excitement about the upcoming tournament. “The fixtures are now set, and we are eager to see the world’s best teams compete on the global stage,” she said during the draw in Moscow.
Teams now have less than a year to prepare for the prestigious tournament. The countdown to the 2018 World Cup has officially begun.
The eagerly anticipated World Cup 2018 fixtures have now been revealed, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling tournament. England will kick off their campaign against Tunisia on 18 June, while hosts Russia face Saudi Arabia in the opening match. The group stages will unfold over the next two weeks, with the knockout rounds commencing on 30 June. The draw has thrown up some intriguing matchups, with traditional powerhouses set to face stern tests. As the countdown to the tournament begins, football fans around the world can start planning their viewing schedules, with the action culminating in the final at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on 15 July.
