Last Updated on 14/06/2018 by C-Jay
The 2017-18 football season may be over. But fear not – the World Cup 2018 is finally here to fill the void in what is usually 2 months of no football. Over the next few weeks, there’s plenty of footballing action for us to look forward to. But, just what is in store for us? Find out everything you need to know in our 2018 World Cup preview.
32 teams head to Russia this summer with high hopes of getting their hands on the coveted World Cup trophy. Some have a way better chance than others. But, then again, stranger things have happened before! Nations such as Panama and Iran might not have much of a chance against the big boys such as Germany. But, we’re sure they’ll put up a fight!
Notable absences includes the likes of Italy and the Netherlands – two big names on the international stage. They both failed to make the final cut – missing out on qualification altogether. However, nations such as England, who have underwhelmed ever since their 1966 triumph, will look to do all they can to ensure they progress as far as possible. Although, judging by their competition performances in the past, both in the World Cup and in the Euros, that might be easier said than done!
When Does The 2018 World Cup Start?
Today – 14th June 2018. The first match kicks off at 4PM UK time – with hosts Russia going head to head with Saudi Arabia. You can view the full schedule of games later in this article.
Which Nations are Taking Part In The 2018 World Cup?
As we’ve already stated, there are some notable countries who have failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup tournament. Below is a list of the nations competing and the group they are in.
- Russia / Saudi Arabia / Egypt / Uruguay – Group A
- Portugal / Spain / Morocco / Iran – Group B
- France / Australia / Peru / Denmark – Group C
- Argentina / Iceland / Croatia / Nigeria – Group D
- Brazil / Switzerland / Costa Rica / Serbia – Group E
- Germany / Mexico / Sweden / South Korea – Group F
- Belgium / Panama / Tunisia / England – Group G
- Poland / Senegal / Colombia / Japan – Group H
How Can I Watch the 2018 World Cup?
The 2018 World Cup will be broadcast on various television networks around the world. In the UK for example, games will be shown live on either ITV or the BBC.
Full World Cup Schedule
Please note, all times stated are UK time (BST).
Group Stages
Thursday 14 June
Russia vs Saudi Arabia (Group A) – Moscow (Luzhniki) – 4pm – ITV
Friday 15 June
Egypt vs Uruguay (Group A) – Ekaterinburg – 1pm – BBC
Morocco vs Iran (Group B) – St Petersburg – 4pm – ITV
Portugal vs Spain (Group B) – Sochi – 7pm – BBC
Saturday 16 June
France vs Australia (Group C) – Kazan – 11am – BBC
Argentina vs Iceland (Group D) – Moscow (Spartak) – 2pm – ITV
Peru vs Denmark (Group C) – Saransk – 5pm – BBC
Croatia vs Nigeria (Group D) – Kaliningrad – 8pm – ITV
Sunday 17 June
Costa Rica vs Serbia (Group E) – Samara – 1pm – ITV
Germany vs Mexico (Group F) – Moscow (Luzhniki) – 4pm – BBC
Brazil vs Switzerland (Group E) – Rostov-on-Don – 7pm – ITV
Monday 18 June
Sweden vs South Korea (Group F) – Nizhny Novgorod – 1pm – ITV
Belgium vs Panama (Group G) – Sochi – 4pm – BBC
Tunisia vs England (Group G) – Volgograd – 7pm – BBC
Tuesday 19 June
Colombia vs Japan (Group H) – Saransk – 1pm – BBC
Poland vs Senegal (Group H) – Moscow (Spartak) – 4pm – ITV
Russia vs Egypt (Group A) – St Petersburg – 7pm – BBC
Wednesday 20 June
Portugal vs Morocco (Group B) – Moscow (Luzhniki) – 1pm – BBC
Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia (Group A) – Rostov-on-Don – 4pm – BBC
Iran vs Spain (Group B) – Kazan – 7pm – ITV
Thursday 21 June
Denmark vs Australia (Group C) – Samara – 1pm – ITV
France vs Peru (Group C) – Ekaterinburg – 4pm – ITV
Argentina vs Croatia (Group D) – Nizhny Novgorod – 7pm – BBC
Friday 22 June
Brazil vs Costa Rica (Group E) – St Petersburg – 1pm – ITV
Nigeria vs Iceland (Group D) – Volgograd – 4pm – BBC
Serbia vs Switzerland (Group E) – Kaliningrad – 7pm – BBC
Saturday 23 June
Belgium vs Tunisia (Group G) – Moscow (Spartak) – 1pm – BBC
South Korea vs Mexico (Group F) – Rostov-on-Don – 4pm – ITV
Germany v Sweden (Group F) – Sochi – 7pm – ITV
Sunday 24 June
England vs Panama (Group G) – Nizhny Novgorod – 1pm – BBC
Japan vs Senegal (Group H) – Ekaterinburg – 4pm – BBC
Poland vs Colombia (Group H) – Kazan – 7pm – ITV
Monday 25 June
Uruguay vs Russia (Group A) – Samara – 3pm – ITV
Saudi Arabia vs Egypt (Group A) – Volgograd – 3pm – ITV
Spain vs Morocco (Group B) – Kaliningrad – 7pm- BBC
Iran vs Portugal (Group B) – Saransk – 7pm – BBC
Tuesday 26 June
Denmark vs France (Group C) – Moscow (Luzhniki) – 3pm – ITV
Australia vs Peru (Group C) – Sochi – 3pm – ITV
Nigeria vs Argentina (Group D) – St Petersburg – 7pm – BBC
Iceland vs Croatia (Group D) – Rostov-on-Don – 7pm – BBC
Wednesday 27 June
South Korea vs Germany (Group F) – Kazan – 3pm – BBC
Mexico vs Sweden (Group F) – Ekaterinburg – 3pm – BBC
Serbia vs Brazil (Group E) – Moscow (Spartak) – 7pm – ITV
Switzerland vs Costa Rica (Group E) – Nizhny Novgorod – 7pm – ITV
Thursday 28 June
Japan vs Poland (Group H) – Volgograd – 3pm – BBC
Senegal vs Colombia (Group H) – Samara – 3pm – BBC
England vs Belgium (Group G) – Kaliningrad – 7pm – ITV
Panama vs Tunisia (Group G) – Saransk – 7pm – ITV
Round of 16
Saturday 30 June
Group C winner vs Group D runner-up – Kazan, 3pm (Match 50)
Group A winner vs Group B runner-up- Sochi, 7pm (Match 49)
Sunday 1 July
Group B winner vs Group A runner-up- Moscow (Luzhniki), 3pm (Match 51)
Group D winner vs Group C runner-up – Nizhny Novgorod, 7pm (Match 52)
Monday 2 July
Group E winner vs Group F runner-up – Samara, 3pm (Match 53)
Group G winner vs Group H runner-up – Rostov-on-Don, 7pm (Match 54)
Tuesday 3 July
Group F winner vs Group E runner-up – St Petersburg 3pm (Match 55)
Group H winner vs Group G runner-up – Moscow (Spartak), 7pm (Match 56)
Quarter-finals
Friday 6 July
Winner match 49 vs Winner match 50 – Nizhny Novgorod, 3pm (Match 57)
Winner match 53 vs Winner match 54 – Kazan, 7pm (Match 58)
Saturday 7 July
Winner match 55 vs Winner match 56 – Samara, 3pm (Match 60)
Winner match 51 vs Winner match 52 – Sochi, 7pm (Match 59)
Semi-finals
Tuesday 10 July
Winner match 57 vs Winner match 58 – St Petersburg, 7pm (Match 61)
Wednesday 11 July
Winner match 59 vs Winner match 60 – Moscow (Luzhniki), 7pm (Match 62)
Third Place Play-off
Saturday 14 July
Loser match 61 vs Loser match 62 – St Petersburg, 3pm
Final
Sunday 15 July
Moscow (Luzhniki), 4pm
Conclusion
There are certainly some big names going head to head with one another at this year’s tournament. Current holders Germany will look to keep their hands on the trophy. Considering the amount of talent and squad depth they have in the side, they might just be able to storm to victory!
Then again, with the likes of Brazil, Spain, Argentina and more all gunning for glory, Germany might just have their work cut out for them! So, are you looking forward to all of the footballing action? We here at TheSportWriter.com certainly are! Let us know who you want to win, or who you think will get their hands on the trophy in the comments section below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
