Jump to content

2018 FIFA World Cup

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Football World Cup 2018)
"2018 World Cup" redirects here. For other competitions of that name, see 2018 World Cup (disambiguation).
"FIFA 2018" redirects here. For the video game, see FIFA 18.

2018 FIFA World Cup
Чемпионат мира по футболу FIFA 2018 (Russian)
Chempionat mira po futbolu FIFA 2018
Играй с открытым сердцем
Igray s otkrytym serdtsem
"Play with an open heart"
Tournament details
Host countryRussia
Dates14 June – 15 July
Teams32 (from 5 confederations)
Venue(s)12 (in 11 host cities)
Final positions
Champions France (2nd title)
Runners-up Croatia
Third place Belgium
Fourth place England
Tournament statistics
Matches played64
Goals scored169 (2.64 per match)
Attendance3,031,768 (47,371 per match)
Top scorer(s)England Harry Kane (6 goals)
Best player(s)Croatia Luka Modrić
Best young playerFrance Kylian Mbappé
Best goalkeeperBelgium Thibaut Courtois
Fair play award Spain
← 2014
2022 →

The 2018 FIFA World Cup was the 21st FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial world championship for national football teams organized by FIFA. It took place in Russia from 14 June to 15 July 2018, after the country was awarded the hosting rights in late 2010. It was the eleventh time the championships had been held in Europe, the first time they were held in Eastern Europe, and the first time they were held across two continents (Europe and Asia). At an estimated cost of over $14.2 billion, it was the most expensive World Cup ever held until it was surpassed by the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.[1][2]

The tournament phase involved 32 teams, of which 31 came through qualifying competitions, while the host nation Russia qualified automatically. Of the 32, 20 had also appeared in the 2014 event, while Iceland and Panama each made their debut at the World Cup. 64 matches were played in 12 venues across 11 cities. Germany, the defending champions, were eliminated in the group stage for the first time since 1938. Host nation Russia was eliminated in the quarter-finals. In the final, France played Croatia on 15 July at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. France won the match 4–2, claiming their second World Cup and becoming the fourth consecutive title won by a European team, after Italy in 2006, Spain in 2010, and Germany in 2014.

Croatian player Luka Modrić was voted the tournament's best player, winning the Golden Ball. England's Harry Kane won the Golden Boot as he scored the most goals during the tournament with six. Belgium's Thibaut Courtois won the Golden Glove, awarded to the goalkeeper with the best performance. It has been estimated that more than 3 million people attended games during the tournament.

Host selection

[edit]
Main article: 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup bids
Andrey Arshavin with Russian bid personnel celebrate the awarding of the 2018 World Cup to Russia on 2 December 2010.

The bidding procedure to host the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup tournaments began in January 2009, and national associations had until 2 February 2009 to register their interest.[3] Initially, nine countries placed bids for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but Mexico later withdrew from the proceedings,[4] and Indonesia's bid was rejected by FIFA in February 2010 after the Indonesian government failed to submit a letter to support the bid.[5] During the bidding process, the three remaining non-UEFA nations (Australia, Japan, and the United States) gradually withdrew from the 2018 bids, and thus all UEFA nations were ruled out of the 2022 bid. As such, there were eventually four bids for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, two of which were joint bids: England, Russia, Netherlands/Belgium, and Portugal/Spain.[6]

The 22-member FIFA Executive Committee convened in Zürich on 2 December 2010 to vote to select the hosts of both tournaments.[7] Russia won the right to be the 2018 host in the second round of voting. The Portugal/Spain bid came second, and that from Belgium/Netherlands third. England, which was bidding to host its second tournament, was eliminated in the first round.[8]

The voting results were:[6]

2018 FIFA bidding (majority 12 votes)
Bidders Votes
Round 1 Round 2
Russia 9 13
Portugal / Spain 7 7
Belgium / Netherlands 4 2
England 2 Eliminated

Host selection criticism

[edit]
The 100-ruble commemorative banknote celebrates the 2018 FIFA World Cup. It features an image of Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin.

The choice of Russia as host was controversial. Issues included the high level of racism in Russian football,[9][10][11] human rights abuses by Russian authorities,[12][13] and discrimination against LGBT people in government (including gay propaganda laws) along with wider Russian society.[14][15] Russia's involvement in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine had also prompted calls for the tournament to be moved, particularly following the annexation of Crimea.[16][17] In 2014, FIFA president Sepp Blatter stated that "the World Cup has been given and voted to Russia and we are going forward with our work".[18]

Russia was criticised for alleged abuse of migrant labourers in the construction of World Cup venues,[19] with Human Rights Watch reporting cases where workers were left unpaid, made to work in dangerously cold conditions, or suffering reprisals for raising concerns.[20][21] A few pundits claimed it was slave labour.[22][23][24] In May 2017, FIFA president Gianni Infantino admitted there had been human rights abuses of North Korean workers involved in the construction of Saint Petersburg's Zenit Arena.[25] By June 2017, at least 17 workers had died on World Cup construction sites, according to Building and Wood Workers' International.[26][27] In August, a group of eight US senators called on FIFA to consider dismissing Russia as the World Cup host if an independent investigation verified allegations of North Koreans being subjected to forced labor.[28]

Racism and Neo-nazi symbols displayed in the past by some Russian football fans drew criticism,[29] with documented incidents of racial chants, banners spewing hate-filled messages, and sometimes assaults on people from the Caucasus and Central Asia.[30][31] In March 2015, FIFA's then Vice President Jeffrey Webb said that Russia posed a huge challenge from a racism standpoint, and that a World Cup could not be held there under the current conditions.[32] On July, United Nations anti-discrimination official Yuri Boychenko said that Russian soccer authorities had failed to fully grasp what racism was and needed to do more to combat it.[33] To address this as well as concerns of hooliganism in general, Russian intelligence services blacklisted over 400 fans from entering the stadiums by June 2018, with 32 other countries also sending officers to help local police screen attendees for valid ID cards.[34]

Allegations of corruption in the bidding processes and concerns over bribery on the part of the Russian team and corruption by FIFA members for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups led to threats from England's FA to boycott the tournament.[35] They claimed that four members of the executive committee had requested bribes to vote for England, and Sepp Blatter had said it had already been arranged before the vote that Russia would win.[36] FIFA appointed Michael J. Garcia, a US attorney, to investigate and produce a report on the corruption allegations. Although the report was never published, FIFA released a 42-page summary of its findings as determined by German judge Hans-Joachim Eckert. Eckert's summary cleared Russia and Qatar of any wrongdoing, but was denounced by critics as a whitewash.[37] Because of the controversy, the FA refused to accept Eckert's absolving Russia from blame. Greg Dyke called for a re-examination of the affair and David Bernstein called for a boycott of the World Cup.[38][39] Garcia criticised the summary as being "materially incomplete" with "erroneous representations of the facts and conclusions", and appealed to FIFA's Appeal Committee.[40][41] The committee declined to hear his appeal, so Garcia resigned to protest of FIFA's conduct, citing a "lack of leadership" and lack of confidence in Eckert's independence.[42]

On 3 June 2015, the FBI confirmed that federal authorities were investigating the bidding and awarding processes for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.[43][44] In an interview published on 7 June 2015, Domenico Scala, the head of FIFA's Audit And Compliance Committee, stated that "should there be evidence that the awards to Qatar and Russia came only because of bought votes, then the awards could be cancelled".[45][46] Prince William of Wales and former British Prime Minister David Cameron attended a meeting with FIFA vice-president Chung Mong-joon in which a vote-trading deal for the right to host the 2018 World Cup in England was discussed.[47][48]

Teams

[edit]

Qualification

[edit]
Main article: 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

For the first time in the history of the FIFA World Cup, all eligible nations—the 209 FIFA member associations except automatically qualified hosts Russia—applied to enter the qualifying process.[49] Zimbabwe and Indonesia were later disqualified before playing their first matches,[50][51] while Gibraltar and Kosovo, who joined FIFA on 13 May 2016 after the qualifying draw but before European qualifying had begun, also entered the competition.[citation needed] Places in the tournament were allocated to continental confederations, with the allocation unchanged from the 2014 World Cup.[52][53] The first qualification game, between Timor-Leste and Mongolia, began in Dili on 12 March 2015 as part of the AFC's qualification,[54][55][56] and the main qualifying draw took place at the Konstantinovsky Palace in Strelna, Saint Petersburg, on 25 July 2015.[57][58]

Of the 32 nations qualified to play at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, 20 countries competed at the previous tournament in 2014. Both Iceland and Panama qualified for the first time, with the former becoming the smallest country in terms of population to reach the World Cup.[59] Other teams returning after absences of at least three tournaments included: Egypt, returning to the finals after their last appearance in 1990; Morocco, who last competed in 1998; Peru, who last appeared in 1982; Senegal, competing for the second time after reaching the quarter-finals in 2002. Poland, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Sweden have also returned after 12 years. It was the first time three Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland and Sweden) and four Arab nations (Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia) qualified for the World Cup.[60]

Notable teams that failed to qualify included: four-time champions Italy (for the first time since 1958), who were knocked out in a qualification play-off by quarter-finalists Sweden and were the highest-ranked team to not qualify; and the Netherlands, who were three-time runners-up and had finished in third place in 2014, had qualified for the last three World Cups, and failed to qualify for their second major tournament in a row, missing out on the UEFA Euro 2016 as well. Four reigning continental champions: 2017 Africa Cup of Nations winners Cameroon; two-time Copa América champions and 2017 Confederations Cup runners-up Chile; 2016 OFC Nations Cup winners New Zealand; and 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup champions the United States (for the first time since 1986) also failed to qualify. The other notable qualifying streaks broken were for Ghana and Ivory Coast, both of which had qualified for the three previous tournaments.[61] The lowest-ranked team to qualify was the host nation, Russia.

Note: Numbers in parentheses indicate positions in the FIFA World Rankings at the time of the tournament.[62]

Draw

[edit]
Main article: 2018 FIFA World Cup seeding
Italian World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro in Moscow at the 2018 World Cup draw

The draw was held on 1 December 2017 at 18:00 MSK at the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow.[63][64] The 32 teams were drawn into eight groups of four, by selecting one team from each of the four ranked pots.

For the draw, the teams were allocated to four pots based entirely on the FIFA World Rankings of October 2017. Pot one contained the hosts Russia (who were automatically assigned to position A1) and the best seven teams. Pot two contained the next best eight teams, and so on for pots three and four.[65] This was different from previous draws, when only pot one was based on FIFA rankings while the remaining pots were based on geographical considerations. However, teams from the same confederation still were not drawn against each other for the group stage, except that two UEFA teams could be in each group. The pots for the draw are shown below.[66]

Pot 1 Pot 2 Pot 3 Pot 4
 Russia (65) (hosts)
 Germany (1)
 Brazil (2)
 Belgium (3)
 Portugal (4)
 Argentina (5)
 Poland (6)
 France (7) 		 Spain (8)
 Peru (10)
  Switzerland (11)
 England (12)
 Colombia (13)
 Mexico (16)
 Uruguay (17)
 Croatia (18) 		 Denmark (19)
 Iceland (21)
 Costa Rica (22)
 Sweden (25)
 Tunisia (28)
 Egypt (30)
 Senegal (32)
 Iran (34) 		 Serbia (38)
 Nigeria (41)
 Australia (43)
 Japan (44)
 Morocco (48)
 Panama (49)
 South Korea (62)
 Saudi Arabia (63)
Group A Group B Group C Group D
 Russia  Portugal  France  Argentina
 Saudi Arabia  Spain  Australia  Iceland
 Egypt  Morocco  Peru  Croatia
 Uruguay  Iran  Denmark  Nigeria
Group E Group F Group G Group H
 Brazil  Germany  Belgium  Poland
  Switzerland  Mexico  Panama  Senegal
 Costa Rica  Sweden  Tunisia  Colombia
 Serbia  South Korea  England  Japan

Squads

[edit]
Main article: 2018 FIFA World Cup squads

Initially, each team had to name a preliminary squad of 30 players, but in February 2018 this was increased to 35.[67] From the preliminary squad, the team had to name a final squad of 23 players (three of whom had to be goalkeepers) by 4 June. Players in the final squad could be replaced for serious injury up to 24 hours prior to kickoff of the team's first match. These replacements did not need to have been named in the preliminary squad.[68]

For players named in the 35-player preliminary squad, there was a mandatory rest period between 21 and 27 May 2018, except for those involved in the 2018 UEFA Champions League Final played on 26 May.[69]

Officiating

[edit]
Main article: 2018 FIFA World Cup officials

On 29 March 2018, FIFA released the list of 36 referees and 63 assistant referees selected to oversee matches.[70] On 30 April 2018, FIFA released the list of 13 video assistant referees, who acted solely in this capacity in the tournament.[71]

Referee Fahad Al-Mirdasi of Saudi Arabia was removed on 30 May 2018 over a match-fixing attempt,[72] along with his two assistant referees, compatriots Mohammed Al-Abakry and Abdulah Al-Shalwai. A new referee was not appointed, but two assistant referees, Hasan Al Mahri of the United Arab Emirates and Hiroshi Yamauchi of Japan, were added to the list.[73][74] Assistant referee Marwa Range of Kenya also withdrew after the BBC released an investigation conducted by a Ghanaian journalist which implicated him in a bribery scandal.[75]

Video assistant referees

[edit]

Shortly after the International Football Association Board's decision to incorporate video assistant referees (VARs) into the Laws of the game (LOTG) on 16 March 2018, the FIFA Council took the much-anticipated step of approving the use of VAR for the first time in a FIFA World Cup tournament.[76][77]

VAR operations for all games were operated from a single headquarters in Moscow, which received live video of the games and were in radio contact with the on-field referees.[78] Systems were in place for communicating VAR-related information to broadcasters and visuals on stadiums' large screens were used for the fans in attendance.[78]

VAR had a significant impact on several games.[79] On 15 June 2018, Diego Costa's first goal against Portugal became the first World Cup goal based on a VAR decision;[80] the first penalty as a result of a VAR decision was awarded to France in their match against Australia on 16 June and resulted in a goal by Antoine Griezmann.[81] A record number of penalties were awarded in the tournament, a phenomenon partially attributed to VAR.[82] Overall, the new technology was both praised and criticised by commentators.[83] FIFA declared the implementation of VAR a success after the first week of competition.[84]

Venues

[edit]

Russia proposed the following host cities: Kaliningrad, Kazan, Krasnodar, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Saint Petersburg, Samara, Saransk, Sochi, Volgograd, Yaroslavl, and Yekaterinburg.[85] Each chosen city was located in European Russia (except Yekaterinburg,[86] which is located in Asia but lies very close to the Europe-Asia border) in order to reduce travel time for the teams in the huge country. The bid evaluation report stated: "The Russian bid proposes 13 host cities and 16 stadiums, thus exceeding FIFA's minimum requirement. Three of the 16 stadiums would be renovated, and 13 would be newly constructed."[87]

In October 2011, Russia reduced the number of stadiums from 16 to 14. Construction of the proposed Podolsk stadium in the Moscow Oblast was cancelled by the regional government. Also, in the capital, Otkritie Arena was competing with Dynamo Stadium over which would be constructed first.[88][dead link‍]

The final choice of host cities was announced on 29 September 2012. The number of cities was reduced further to 11 and the number of stadiums to 12 as Krasnodar and Yaroslavl were dropped from the final list. Of the 12 stadiums used for the tournament, three (Luzhniki, Yekaterinburg and Sochi) had been extensively renovated and the other nine were brand new; $11.8 billion was spent on hosting the tournament.[89]

Sepp Blatter had said in July 2014 that, given the concerns over the completion of venues in Russia, the number of venues for the tournament may be reduced from 12 to 10.[90] He also said, "We are not going to be in a situation, as is the case of one, two or even three stadiums in South Africa, where it is a problem of what you do with these stadiums".[91]

Reconstruction of the Yekaterinburg Central Stadium in January 2017

In October 2014, on their first official visit to Russia, FIFA's inspection committee and its head, Chris Unger, visited St. Petersburg, Sochi, Kazan and both Moscow venues. They were satisfied with the progress.[92] On 8 October 2015, FIFA and the local organising committee agreed on the official names of the stadiums to be used during the tournament.[93] Of the twelve venues, the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow and the Saint Petersburg Stadium—the two largest stadiums in Russia—were used most; both hosted seven matches. Sochi, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod and Samara each hosted six matches, including one quarter-final match each, while the Otkritie Stadium in Moscow and the Rostov Stadium hosted five matches, including one round-of-16 match each. Volgograd, Kaliningrad, Yekaterinburg and Saransk each hosted four matches, but did not host any knockout stage games.

Stadiums

[edit]
Exterior of Otkrytie Arena
in Moscow

Twelve stadiums in eleven Russian cities were built or renovated for the FIFA World Cup. Between 2010 (when Russia were announced as hosts) and 2018, nine of the twelve stadiums were built (some in place of older, outdated venues) and the other three were renovated for the tournament.[94]

  • Kaliningrad: Kaliningrad Stadium (new). The first piles were driven into the ground in September 2015. On 11 April 2018 it hosted its first match.
  • Kazan: Kazan Arena (new). The stadium was built for the 2013 Summer Universiade. It has since hosted the 2015 World Aquatics Championships and the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. It serves as a home arena for FC Rubin Kazan.
  • Moscow: Luzhniki Stadium (heavily renovated). The largest stadium in the country, it was closed for renovation in 2013. It was commissioned in November 2017.
  • Moscow: Spartak Stadium (new). This stadium is the home arena to its namesake FC Spartak Moscow. In accordance with FIFA requirements, during the 2018 World Cup, it was called Spartak Stadium instead of its usual name Otkritie Arena. It hosted its first match on 5 September 2014.
  • Nizhny Novgorod: Nizhny Novgorod Stadium (new). Construction of this stadium commenced in 2015 and was completed in December 2017.[95]
  • Rostov-on-Don: Rostov Arena (new). The stadium is located on the left bank of the Don. Construction was completed on 22 December 2017.
  • Saint Petersburg: Saint Petersburg Stadium (new). Construction commenced in 2007 after the site, formerly occupied by Kirov Stadium, was cleared. The project was officially completed on 29 December 2016.[96] It has hosted 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup games and served as a venue for UEFA Euro 2020.
  • Samara: Samara Arena (new). Construction officially started on 21 July 2014 and was completed on 21 April 2018.
  • Saransk: Mordovia Arena (new). The stadium in Saransk was scheduled to be commissioned in 2012 in time for the opening of the all-Russian Spartakiad, but the plan was revised. The opening was rescheduled to 2017. The arena hosted its first match on 21 April 2018.
  • Sochi: Fisht Stadium (slightly renovated). This stadium hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2014 Winter Olympics. Afterwards, it was renovated in preparation for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2018 World Cup.
  • Volgograd: Volgograd Arena (new). The main Volgograd arena was built on the demolished Central Stadium site, at the foot of the Mamayev Kurgan memorial complex. It was commissioned on 3 April 2018.[97]
  • Yekaterinburg: Ekaterinburg Arena (heavily renovated). The Central Stadium of Yekaterinburg had been renovated for the FIFA World Cup. Its stands have a capacity of 35,000 spectators. The renovation project was completed in December 2017.
Moscow Saint Petersburg Sochi
Luzhniki Stadium Otkritie Arena
(Spartak Stadium) 		Krestovsky Stadium
(Saint Petersburg Stadium) 		Fisht Olympic Stadium
(Fisht Stadium)
Capacity: 78,011[98] Capacity: 44,190[99] Capacity: 64,468[100] Capacity: 44,287[101]
Volgograd
class=notpageimage|
Location of the host cities of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
 Rostov-on-Don
Volgograd Arena Rostov Arena
Capacity: 43,713[102] Capacity: 43,472[103]
Nizhny Novgorod Kazan
Nizhny Novgorod Stadium Kazan Arena
Capacity: 43,319[104] Capacity: 42,873[105]
Samara Saransk Kaliningrad Yekaterinburg
Samara Arena Mordovia Arena Kaliningrad Stadium Central Stadium
(Ekaterinburg Arena)
Capacity: 41,970[106] Capacity: 41,685[107] Capacity: 33,973[108] Capacity: 33,061[109]

Team base camps

[edit]

Base camps were used by the 32 national squads to stay and train before and during the World Cup tournament. On 9 February 2018, FIFA announced the base camps for each participating team.[110]

Preparation and costs

[edit]

Budget

[edit]
Scale model of the Volgograd Arena whose construction began in 2015.

At an estimated cost of over $14.2 billion as of June 2018,[114] the 2018 FIFA event was the most expensive World Cup in history, surpassing the $11.6 billion cost of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.[114][115]

The Russian government had originally earmarked a budget of around $20 billion,[116] which was later slashed to $10 billion, for World Cup preparations. Half was spent on transportation infrastructure.[117] As part of the program to prepare for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, a federal sub-program—"Construction and Renovation of Transport Infrastructure"—was implemented with a total budget of ₽352.5 billion (rubles), with ₽170.3 billion coming from the federal budget, ₽35.1 billion from regional budgets, and ₽147.1 billion from investors.[118] The biggest item of federal spending was the aviation infrastructure costing ₽117.8 billion.[119] Construction of new hotels was a crucial area of infrastructure development in World Cup host cities. Costs continued to mount as preparations were underway.[115]

Infrastructure spending

[edit]

Platov International Airport in Rostov-on-Don was upgraded with automated air traffic control systems. Modern surveillance, navigation, communication, control, and meteorological support systems were also installed.[120] Koltsovo Airport in Yekaterinburg was upgraded with radio-engineering tools for flight operation and received a second runway. Saransk Airport received a new navigation system; two new hotels were constructed in the city—the Mercure Saransk Centre (Accor Hotels) and Four Points by Sheraton Saransk as well as few other smaller accommodation facilities.[121] In Samara, new tram lines were laid.[122] Khrabrovo Airport in Kaliningrad was upgraded with radio navigation and weather equipment.[123] Renovation and upgraded radio-engineering tools for flight operations was completed in the Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Volgograd, Samara, Yekaterinburg, Kazan and Sochi airports.[120] On 27 March, the Russian Ministry of Construction Industry, Housing and Utilities Sector of reported that all communications within its area of responsibility had been commissioned. The last facility commissioned was a waste treatment station in Volgograd. In Yekaterinburg, where four matches were hosted, hosting costs increased to over ₽7.4 billion, exceeding the ₽5.6 billion rubles originally allocated from the state and regional budget.[124]

Volunteers

[edit]
Volunteer flag bearers on the field prior to Belgium's (flag depicted) group stage match against Tunisia

Volunteer applications to the 2018 Russia Local Organising Committee opened on 1 June 2016. The 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Volunteer Program received about 177,000 applications,[125] and engaged a total of 35,000 volunteers.[126] They received training at 15 Volunteer Centres of the local organising committee based in 15 universities, and in volunteer centres in the host cities. Preference, especially in key areas, was given to those with knowledge of a foreign language and volunteering experience, but not necessarily to Russian nationals.[127]

Transport

[edit]

Free public transport services were offered for ticketholders during the World Cup, including additional trains linking host cities, as well as services such as bus services within them.[128][129][130]

Schedule

[edit]
Launching of a 1,000 days countdown in Moscow

The full schedule was announced by FIFA on 24 July 2015 without kick-off times, which were confirmed later.[131][132] On 1 December 2017, following the final draw, FIFA adjusted six kick-off times.[133][134]

Russia was placed in position A1 in the group stage and played in the opening match at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on 14 June against Saudi Arabia, the two lowest-ranked teams of the tournament at the time of the final draw.[135] The Luzhniki Stadium also hosted the second semi-final on 11 July and the final on 15 July. The Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg hosted the first semi-final on 10 July and the third place play-off on 14 July.[136][52]

Opening ceremony

[edit]
Main article: 2018 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony
Soprano Aida Garifullina and pop singer Robbie Williams singing "Angels" at the opening ceremony

The opening ceremony took place on Thursday, 14 June 2018, at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, preceding the opening match of the tournament between hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia.[137][138]

At the start of the ceremony, Russian president Vladimir Putin gave a speech, welcoming the countries of the world to Russia and calling football a uniting force.[139] Brazilian World Cup-winning striker Ronaldo entered the stadium with a child in a Russia jersey.[139] Pop singer Robbie Williams then sang two of his songs solo before he and Russian soprano Aida Garifullina performed a duet.[139] Dancers dressed in the flags of the 32 competing teams appeared carrying a sign with the name of each nation.[139] At the end of the ceremony Ronaldo reappeared with the official match ball which had returned from the International Space Station in early June.[139]

Young participants of the international children's social programme Football for Friendship from 211 countries and regions took part in the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup at the Luzhniki stadium.[140]

Group stage

[edit]

Competing countries were divided into eight groups of four teams (groups A to H). Teams in each group played one another in a round-robin, with the top two teams advancing to the knockout stage. Ten European teams and four South American teams progressed to the knockout stage, together with Japan and Mexico.

For the first time since 1938, Germany, the reigning champions, were eliminated in the first round. This was the third consecutive tournament in which the holders were eliminated in the first round, after Italy in 2010 and Spain in 2014. No African team progressed to the second round for the first time since 1982. The fair play criteria came into use for the first time when Japan qualified over Senegal because the team had received fewer yellow cards. Only one match, France versus Denmark, was goalless. Until then there were a record 36 straight games in which at least one goal was scored.[141] All times listed below are local time.[133]

Group A

[edit]
Main article: 2018 FIFA World Cup Group A
Pre-match ceremony prior to the opening game, Russia v Saudi Arabia

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Uruguay 3 3 0 0 5 0 +5 9 Advance to knockout stage
2  Russia (H) 3 2 0 1 8 4 +4 6
3  Saudi Arabia 3 1 0 2 2 7 −5 3
4  Egypt 3 0 0 3 2 6 −4 0
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Russia 5–0 Saudi Arabia
 Report
Attendance: 78,011[143]
Egypt 0–1 Uruguay
Report
Attendance: 27,015[144]
Russia 3–1 Egypt
 Report
Attendance: 64,468[145]
Uruguay 1–0 Saudi Arabia
 Report
Attendance: 42,678[146]
Uruguay 3–0 Russia
 Report
Attendance: 41,970[147]
Saudi Arabia 2–1 Egypt
 Report
Attendance: 36,823[148]

Group B

[edit]
Main article: 2018 FIFA World Cup Group B
Iran v Portugal

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Spain 3 1 2 0 6 5 +1 5 Advance to knockout stage
2  Portugal 3 1 2 0 5 4 +1 5
3  Iran 3 1 1 1 2 2 0 4
4  Morocco 3 0 1 2 2 4 −2 1
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Morocco 0–1 Iran
Report
Attendance: 62,548[149]
Portugal 3–3 Spain
 Report
Attendance: 43,866[150]
Portugal 1–0 Morocco
 Report
Attendance: 78,011[151]
Iran 0–1 Spain
Report
Attendance: 42,718[152]
Iran 1–1 Portugal
 Report
Attendance: 41,685[153]
Spain 2–2 Morocco
 Report
Attendance: 33,973[154]

Group C

[edit]
Main article: 2018 FIFA World Cup Group C
Australia v Peru

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  France 3 2 1 0 3 1 +2 7 Advance to knockout stage
2  Denmark 3 1 2 0 2 1 +1 5
3  Peru 3 1 0 2 2 2 0 3
4  Australia 3 0 1 2 2 5 −3 1
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
France 2–1 Australia
 Report
Attendance: 41,279[155]
Peru 0–1 Denmark
Report
Attendance: 40,502[156]
Denmark 1–1 Australia
 Report
Attendance: 40,727[157]
France 1–0 Peru
 Report
Attendance: 32,789[158]
Denmark 0–0 France
Report
Attendance: 78,011[159]
Referee: Sandro Ricci (Brazil)
Australia 0–2 Peru
Report
Attendance: 44,073[160]

Group D

[edit]
Main article: 2018 FIFA World Cup Group D
Iceland v Croatia

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Croatia 3 3 0 0 7 1 +6 9 Advance to knockout stage
2  Argentina 3 1 1 1 3 5 −2 4
3  Nigeria 3 1 0 2 3 4 −1 3
4  Iceland 3 0 1 2 2 5 −3 1
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Argentina 1–1 Iceland
 Report
Attendance: 44,190[161]
Croatia 2–0 Nigeria
 Report
Attendance: 31,136[162]
Referee: Sandro Ricci (Brazil)
Argentina 0–3 Croatia
Report
Attendance: 43,319[163]
Nigeria 2–0 Iceland
 Report
Attendance: 40,904[164]
Nigeria 1–2 Argentina
 Report
Attendance: 64,468[165]
Iceland 1–2 Croatia
 Report
Attendance: 43,472[166]

Group E

[edit]
Main article: 2018 FIFA World Cup Group E
Brazil v Costa Rica

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Brazil 3 2 1 0 5 1 +4 7 Advance to knockout stage
2   Switzerland 3 1 2 0 5 4 +1 5
3  Serbia 3 1 0 2 2 4 −2 3
4  Costa Rica 3 0 1 2 2 5 −3 1
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Costa Rica 0–1 Serbia
Report
Attendance: 41,432[167]
Brazil 1–1  Switzerland
 Report
Attendance: 43,109[168]
Brazil 2–0 Costa Rica
 Report
Attendance: 64,468[169]
Serbia 1–2  Switzerland
 Report
Attendance: 33,167[170]
Referee: Felix Brych (Germany)
Serbia 0–2 Brazil
Report
Attendance: 44,190[171]
Switzerland 2–2 Costa Rica
 Report
Attendance: 43,319[172]

Group F

[edit]
Main article: 2018 FIFA World Cup Group F
Germany v Mexico

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Sweden 3 2 0 1 5 2 +3 6 Advance to knockout stage
2  Mexico 3 2 0 1 3 4 −1 6
3  South Korea 3 1 0 2 3 3 0 3
4  Germany 3 1 0 2 2 4 −2 3
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Germany 0–1 Mexico
Report
Attendance: 78,011[173]
Sweden 1–0 South Korea
 Report
Attendance: 42,300[174]
South Korea 1–2 Mexico
 Report
Attendance: 43,472[175]
Germany 2–1 Sweden
 Report
Attendance: 44,287[176]
South Korea 2–0 Germany
 Report
Attendance: 41,835[177]
Mexico 0–3 Sweden
Report
Attendance: 33,061[178]

Group G

[edit]
Main article: 2018 FIFA World Cup Group G
Belgium v Tunisia

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Belgium 3 3 0 0 9 2 +7 9 Advance to knockout stage
2  England 3 2 0 1 8 3 +5 6
3  Tunisia 3 1 0 2 5 8 −3 3
4  Panama 3 0 0 3 2 11 −9 0
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Belgium 3–0 Panama
 Report
Attendance: 43,257[179]
Tunisia 1–2 England
 Report
Attendance: 41,064[180]
Belgium 5–2 Tunisia
 Report
Attendance: 44,190[181]
England 6–1 Panama
 Report
Attendance: 43,319[182]
Referee: Gehad Grisha (Egypt)
England 0–1 Belgium
Report
Attendance: 33,973[183]
Panama 1–2 Tunisia
 Report
Attendance: 37,168[184]

Group H

[edit]
Main article: 2018 FIFA World Cup Group H
Japan v Poland

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Colombia 3 2 0 1 5 2 +3 6 Advance to knockout stage
2  Japan 3 1 1 1 4 4 0 4[a]
3  Senegal 3 1 1 1 4 4 0 4[a]
4  Poland 3 1 0 2 2 5 −3 3
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Fair play points: Japan −4, Senegal −6.
Colombia 1–2 Japan
 Report
Attendance: 40,842[185]
Poland 1–2 Senegal
 Report
Attendance: 44,190[186]
Japan 2–2 Senegal
 Report
Attendance: 32,572[187]
Poland 0–3 Colombia
Report
Attendance: 42,873[188]
Japan 0–1 Poland
Report
Attendance: 42,189[189]
Senegal 0–1 Colombia
Report
Attendance: 41,970[190]

Knockout stage

[edit]
Main article: 2018 FIFA World Cup knockout stage
Russia v Croatia

In the knockout stages, if a match was level at the end of normal playing time, extra time was played (two periods of 15 minutes each) and followed, if necessary, by a penalty shoot-out to determine the winners.[68] If a match went into extra time, each team was allowed to make a fourth substitution, the first time this had been allowed in a FIFA World Cup tournament.[76] Below is the bracket for the knockout round of the tournament, teams in bold denote match winners.[76]

Bracket

[edit]
 
Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
30 June – Sochi
 
 
 Uruguay2
 
6 July – Nizhny Novgorod
 
 Portugal1
 
 Uruguay0
 
30 June – Kazan
 
 France2
 
 France4
 
10 July – Saint Petersburg
 
 Argentina3
 
 France1
 
2 July – Samara
 
 Belgium0
 
 Brazil2
 
6 July – Kazan
 
 Mexico0
 
 Brazil1
 
2 July – Rostov-on-Don
 
 Belgium2
 
 Belgium3
 
15 July – Moscow (Luzhniki)
 
 Japan2
 
 France4
 
1 July – Moscow (Luzhniki)
 
 Croatia2
 
 Spain1 (3)
 
7 July – Sochi
 
 Russia (p)1 (4)
 
 Russia2 (3)
 
1 July – Nizhny Novgorod
 
 Croatia (p)2 (4)
 
 Croatia (p)1 (3)
 
11 July – Moscow (Luzhniki)
 
 Denmark1 (2)
 
 Croatia (a.e.t.)2
 
3 July – Saint Petersburg
 
 England1 Third place play-off
 
 Sweden1
 
7 July – Samara14 July – Saint Petersburg
 
  Switzerland0
 
 Sweden0 Belgium2
 
3 July – Moscow (Otkritie)
 
 England2  England0
 
 Colombia1 (3)
 
 
 England (p)1 (4)
 

Round of 16

[edit]
France 4–3 Argentina
 Report
Attendance: 42,873[191]
Uruguay 2–1 Portugal
 Report
Attendance: 44,287[192]
Spain 1–1 (a.e.t.) Russia
 Report
Penalties
 3–4
Attendance: 78,011[193]
Croatia 1–1 (a.e.t.) Denmark
 Report
Penalties
 3–2
Attendance: 40,851[194]
Brazil 2–0 Mexico
 Report
Attendance: 41,970[195]
Belgium 3–2 Japan
 Report
Attendance: 41,466[196]
Sweden 1–0  Switzerland
 Report
Attendance: 64,042[197]
Colombia 1–1 (a.e.t.) England
 Report
Penalties
 3–4
Attendance: 44,190[198]

Quarter-finals

[edit]
Uruguay 0–2 France
Report
Attendance: 43,319[199]
Brazil 1–2 Belgium
 Report
Attendance: 42,873[200]
Sweden 0–2 England
Report
Attendance: 39,991[201]
Russia 2–2 (a.e.t.) Croatia
 Report
Penalties
 3–4
Attendance: 44,287[202]
Referee: Sandro Ricci (Brazil)

Semi-finals

[edit]
France 1–0 Belgium
 Report
Attendance: 64,286[203]
Croatia 2–1 (a.e.t.) England
 Report
Attendance: 78,011[204]

Third place play-off

[edit]
Belgium 2–0 England
 Report
Attendance: 64,406[205]

Final

[edit]
Main article: 2018 FIFA World Cup final
France 4–2 Croatia
 Report
Attendance: 78,011

Statistics

[edit]

Goalscorers

[edit]

There were 169 goals scored in 64 matches, for an average of 2.64 goals per match.

Twelve own goals were scored during the tournament, doubling the record of six set in 1998.[206] Goals scored from penalty shoot-outs are not counted towards an individual player's goal count.[207]

6 goals

4 goals

3 goals

2 goals

1 goal

1 own goal

Source: FIFA[208]

Discipline

[edit]

In total, only four players were sent off in the entire tournament, the fewest since 1978.[209] International Football Association Board technical director David Elleray stated a belief that this was due to the introduction of VAR, since players would know that they would not be able to get away with anything under the new system.[210]

A player is automatically suspended for the next match for the following offences:[68]

  • Receiving a red card (red card suspensions may be extended for serious offences)
  • Receiving two yellow cards in two matches; yellow cards expire after the completion of the quarter-finals (yellow card suspensions are not carried forward to any other future international matches)

The following suspensions were served during the tournament:

Player Offence(s) Suspension(s)
Colombia Carlos Sánchez Red card in Group H vs Japan (matchday 1; 19 June) Group H vs Poland (matchday 2; 24 June)
Denmark Yussuf Poulsen Yellow card in Group C vs Peru (matchday 1; 16 June)
Yellow card in Group C vs Australia (matchday 2; 21 June) 		Group C vs France (matchday 3; 26 June)
Germany Jérôme Boateng Yellow card Yellow-red card in Group F vs Sweden (matchday 2; 23 June) Group F vs South Korea (matchday 3; 27 June)
Panama Armando Cooper Yellow card in Group G vs Belgium (matchday 1; 18 June)
Yellow card in Group G vs England (matchday 2; 24 June) 		Group G vs Tunisia (matchday 3; 28 June)
Panama Michael Amir Murillo Yellow card in Group G vs Belgium (matchday 1; 18 June)
Yellow card in Group G vs England (matchday 2; 24 June) 		Group G vs Tunisia (matchday 3; 28 June)
Russia Igor Smolnikov Yellow card Yellow-red card in Group A vs Uruguay (matchday 3; 25 June) Round of 16 vs Spain (1 July)
Sweden Sebastian Larsson Yellow card in Group F vs Germany (matchday 2; 23 June)
Yellow card in Group F vs Mexico (matchday 3; 27 June) 		Round of 16 vs Switzerland (3 July)
Mexico Héctor Moreno Yellow card in Group F vs Germany (matchday 1; 17 June)
Yellow card in Group F vs Sweden (matchday 3; 27 June) 		Round of 16 vs Brazil (2 July)
Switzerland Stephan Lichtsteiner Yellow card in Group E vs Brazil (matchday 1; 17 June)
Yellow card in Group E vs Costa Rica (matchday 3; 27 June) 		Round of 16 vs Sweden (3 July)
Switzerland Fabian Schär Yellow card in Group E vs Brazil (matchday 1; 17 June)
Yellow card in Group E vs Costa Rica (matchday 3; 27 June) 		Round of 16 vs Sweden (3 July)
France Blaise Matuidi Yellow card in Group C vs Peru (matchday 2; 21 June)
Yellow card in Round of 16 vs Argentina (30 June) 		Quarter-finals vs Uruguay (6 July)
Brazil Casemiro Yellow card in Group E vs Switzerland (matchday 1; 17 June)
Yellow card in Round of 16 vs Mexico (2 July) 		Quarter-finals vs Belgium (6 July)
Sweden Mikael Lustig Yellow card in Group F vs Mexico (matchday 3; 27 June)
Yellow card in Round of 16 vs Switzerland (3 July) 		Quarter-finals vs England (7 July)
Switzerland Michael Lang Red card in Round of 16 vs Sweden (3 July) Suspension served outside tournament
Belgium Thomas Meunier Yellow card in Group G vs Panama (matchday 1; 18 June)
Yellow card in Quarter-finals vs Brazil (6 July) 		Semi-finals vs France (10 July)


Final standings

[edit]

Awards

[edit]
Luka Modrić accepting the Golden Ball award from Vladimir Putin
Kylian Mbappé receiving the World Cup best young player award from Emmanuel Macron

The following awards were given at the conclusion of the tournament. The Golden Boot (top scorer), Golden Ball (best overall player) and Golden Glove (best goalkeeper) awards were all sponsored by Adidas.[211]

Golden Ball Silver Ball Bronze Ball
Croatia Luka Modrić Belgium Eden Hazard France Antoine Griezmann
Golden Boot Silver Boot Bronze Boot
England Harry Kane
(6 goals, 0 assists) 		France Antoine Griezmann
(4 goals, 2 assists) 		Belgium Romelu Lukaku
(4 goals, 1 assist)
Golden Glove
Belgium Thibaut Courtois
FIFA Young Player Award
France Kylian Mbappé
FIFA Fair Play Trophy
 Spain

Dream Team

[edit]

The users of FIFA.com elected their Fan Dream Team.[212][213]

Goalkeeper Defenders Midfielders Forwards
Belgium Thibaut Courtois Brazil Marcelo
Brazil Thiago Silva
France Raphaël Varane
Uruguay Diego Godín 		Belgium Kevin De Bruyne
Brazil Philippe Coutinho
Croatia Luka Modrić 		England Harry Kane
France Kylian Mbappé
Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo

Additionally, FIFA.com shortlisted 18 goals for users to vote on as the tournament's best.[214] The poll closed on 23 July. The award was sponsored by Hyundai.[215]

Goal of the Tournament
Goalscorer Opponent Score Round
France Benjamin Pavard  Argentina 2–2 Round of 16

All-Star Team

[edit]

FIFA published an All-Star Team, this year called the Fantasy Team, based on player performances evaluated through statistical data.[216]

Goalkeeper Defenders Midfielders Forwards
Belgium Thibaut Courtois Sweden Andreas Granqvist
Brazil Thiago Silva
France Raphaël Varane
Colombia Yerry Mina 		Russia Denis Cheryshev
Brazil Philippe Coutinho
Croatia Luka Modrić 		England Harry Kane
France Antoine Griezmann
Belgium Eden Hazard

Prize money

[edit]

Prize money amounts were announced in October 2017.[217]

Position Amount (million USD)
Per team Total
Champions 38 38
Runners-up 28 28
Third place 24 24
Fourth place 22 22
5th–8th place (quarter-finals) 16 64
9th–16th place (round of 16) 12 96
17th–32nd place (group stage) 8 128
Total 400

Marketing

[edit]
The typeface "Dusha" used for branding

Branding

[edit]

The tournament logo was unveiled on 28 October 2014 by cosmonauts at the International Space Station and then projected onto Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre during an evening television programme. Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said the logo was inspired by "Russia's rich artistic tradition and its history of bold achievement and innovation", and FIFA president Sepp Blatter stated that it reflected the "heart and soul" of the country.[citation needed] For branding, Portuguese design agency Brandia Central created materials in 2014, with a typeface called Dusha – душа (Russian for 'soul') – designed by Brandia Central and edited by Adotbelow of the DSType Foundry in Portugal.[218]

Ticketing

[edit]

The first phase of ticket sales started on 14 September 2017, 12:00 Moscow Time, and lasted until 12 October 2017.[219]

The general visa policy of Russia did not apply to participants and spectators, who were able to visit Russia without a visa right before and during the competition regardless of their citizenship.[citation needed] Spectators were nonetheless required to register for a "Fan-ID", a special photo identification pass. A Fan-ID was required to enter the country visa-free, while a ticket, Fan-ID and a valid passport were required to enter stadiums for matches. Fan-IDs also granted World Cup attendees free access to public transport services, including buses, and train service between host cities. Fan-ID was administered by the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, which could revoke this accreditation at any time to "ensure the defence capability or security of the state or public order".[128][129][130]

Merchandise

[edit]
See also: FIFA World Cup video games

On 29 May 2018, Electronic Arts released a free update to their video game FIFA 18 that added content related to the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The expansion included a World Cup tournament mode with all teams and stadiums from the event, official television presentation elements, and World Cup-related content for the Ultimate Team mode.[220][221]

Panini continued their partnership with FIFA by producing stickers for their World Cup sticker album.[222] Panini also developed an app for the 2018 World Cup where fans could collect and swap virtual stickers, with 5 million fans gathering digital stickers for the tournament.[223][224]

Symbols

[edit]

Mascot

[edit]
Main article: Zabivaka
Tournament mascot, wolf Zabivaka

The tournament's official mascot was unveiled on 21 October 2016, and selected through a design competition among university students. A public vote was used to select the mascot from three finalists—a cat, a tiger, and a wolf. The winner, with 53% or approximately 1 million votes, was Zabivaka—an anthropomorphic wolf dressed in the colours of the Russian national team. Zabivaka's name is a portmanteau of the Russian words забияка ("hothead") and забивать ("to score"), and his official backstory states that he is an aspiring football player who is "charming, confident and social".[225]

Match ball

[edit]
Main article: Adidas Telstar 18
Match ball "Telstar 18"
Match ball for the knockout stage, "Telstar Mechta"

The official match ball, the "Telstar 18", was unveiled on 9 November 2017. It was based on the name and design of the first Adidas World Cup ball from 1970.[226] A special red-coloured variation, "Telstar Mechta", was used for the knockout stage of the tournament. The word mechta (Russian: мечта) means "dream" or "ambition".[227]

Goalkeepers noted that the ball was slippery and prone to having unpredictable trajectory.[228][229] In addition, two Telstar 18 balls popped in the midst of a first-round match between France and Australia, leading to further discussions over the ball's performance.[230][231]

Music

[edit]
Main article: Live It Up (Nicky Jam song)

The official song of the tournament was "Live It Up", with vocals by Will Smith, Nicky Jam and Era Istrefi, released on 25 May 2018. Its music video was released on 8 June 2018.[232]

Other controversies

[edit]
Main article: List of 2018 FIFA World Cup controversies

Thirty-three footballers who were alleged to be part of the Russian steroid programme are listed in the McLaren Report.[233] On 22 December 2017, it was reported that FIFA had fired a doctor who had been investigating doping in Russian football.[234] On 22 May 2018, FIFA stated that the investigations concerning all Russian players named for the provisional squad of the FIFA World Cup in Russia had been completed, with the result that insufficient evidence was found to support anti-doping rule violations.[235] FIFA's medical committee also decided that Russian personnel would not be involved in performing drug testing procedures at the tournament, an action taken to reassure teams that samples would not be tampered with.[236]

Russia relaxed its visa rules during the World Cup, allowing Fan ID holders to enter and exit Russia without a visa through 31 December 2018. Traffickers exploited this system to bring foreign sex trafficking victims into the country, especially from Nigeria.[237] Reuters had raised concerns about the victims' conditions, who had allegedly been forced into prostitution, with some of them enduring violent abuse.[238][239] Russian authorities were accused of doing little to fix to the issue, allegedly because many locals blamed the victims for falling into prostitution.[240][241]

Response to Skripal poisoning

[edit]

In response to the March 2018 poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal, British prime minister Theresa May announced that no British ministers or members of the royal family would attend the World Cup, and issued a warning to any travelling England fans.[242] Russia responded to the comments from the UK Parliament claiming that the West are trying to "take the World Cup out of Russia".[243] The Russian Foreign Ministry denounced Boris Johnson's statements that compared the event to the 1936 Olympics held in Nazi Germany as "poisoned with venom of hate, unprofessionalism and boorishness" and "unacceptable and unworthy" parallel towards Russia, a "nation that lost millions of lives in fighting Nazism".[244]

Critical reception

[edit]
Facilities–such as the refurbished Luzhniki Stadium (pictured)–were one aspect of Russia's perceived success.

At the close of the World Cup, Russia was widely praised for its success in hosting the tournament, with Steve Rosenberg of the BBC deeming it "a resounding public relations success" for Putin, adding: "The stunning new stadiums, free train travel to venues and the absence of crowd violence has impressed visiting supporters. Russia has come across as friendly and hospitable: a stark contrast with the country's authoritarian image. All the foreign fans I have spoken to are pleasantly surprised."[245]

Despite the British Foreign Office and MPs repeatedly warning English football fans travelling to Russia of "racist or homophobic intimidation, hooligan violence and anti-British hostility",[246][247] fans who did travel said they received a warm welcome from ordinary citizens after arriving in Russia.[248][249]

FIFA president Gianni Infantino stated: "Everyone discovered a beautiful country, a welcoming country, that is keen to show the world that everything that has been said before might not be true. A lot of preconceived ideas have been changed because people have seen the true nature of Russia."[250] Infantino has proclaimed Russia 2018 to be "the best World Cup ever." 98 percent of the stadiums were sold out, there were 3 billion viewers on TV around the world and 7 million fans visited the fan fests.[251] It was the most viewed World Cup to date, and the third most viewed television broadcast, surpassing the Beijing Olympics in 2008.[citation needed]

Broadcasting rights

[edit]
Main article: 2018 FIFA World Cup broadcasting rights

FIFA, through several companies, sold the broadcasting rights for the 2018 FIFA World Cup to various local broadcasters. After having tested the technology at limited matches of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup,[252] and the 2014 FIFA World Cup (via private tests and public viewings in the host city of Rio de Janeiro),[253] the 2018 World Cup was the first World Cup in which all matches were produced in 4K ultra high definition. Host Broadcast Services (HBS) stated that at least 75% of the broadcast cut of each match would come from 4K cameras (covering the majority of main angles), with instant replays and some camera angles being converted up from 1080p high definition sources with limited degradation in quality. These broadcasts were made available from selected rightsholders and television providers.[254][255][256]

In February 2018, Ukrainian rightsholder UA:PBC stated that it would not broadcast the World Cup due to existing tensions with Russia amidst the Russo-Ukrainian War. This came in the wake of growing boycott of the tournament by the Football Federation of Ukraine and sports minister Ihor Zhdanov.[257][258] Additionally, the FFU refused to accredit journalists for the World Cup and waived their quota of tickets.[259] However, the Ukrainian state TV still broadcast the World Cup, and more than 4 million Ukrainians watched the opening match.[260]

Broadcast rights to the tournament in the Middle East were hampered by an ongoing diplomatic crisis in Qatar, which saw Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates cut diplomatic ties with Qatar—the home country of FIFA's Middle East and Africa rightsholder beIN Sports—in June 2017, over its alleged state support of terrorist groups. On 2 June 2018, beIN pulled its channels from Du and Etisalat, but with service to the latter restored later that day. Etisalat subsequently announced that it would air the World Cup in the UAE, and continue to offer beIN normally and without interruptions.[261][262][263] In Saudi Arabia, beIN was banned from doing business; as a result, its channels and other content have been widely and illegally repackaged by a broadcaster identifying itself as "beoutQ". While FIFA attempted to negotiate the sale of a package consisting of Saudi matches and the final indirectly, they were unable to do so. On 12 July 2018, FIFA stated that it had "engaged counsel to take legal action in Saudi Arabia and is working alongside other sports rights owners that have also been affected to protect its interests."[264][265]

In the United States, the 2018 World Cup was the first men's World Cup whose English rights were held by Fox Sports, and Spanish rights held by Telemundo. The elimination of the United States in the qualifiers led to concerns that U.S. interest and viewership of this World Cup would be reduced, noting that "casual" viewers of U.S. matches caused them to peak at 16.5 million in 2014, and determined how much Fox paid for the rights. During a launch event prior to the elimination, Fox stated that it had planned to place a secondary focus on the Mexican team in its coverage to take advantage of their popularity among Hispanic and Latino Americans. Fox stated that it was still committed to broadcasting a significant amount of tournament coverage.[266][267][268] Viewership was down overall compared to 2014; match scheduling and time zones were not as favourable to viewers in the Americas as they were in 2014. Many games aired in the morning hours, although Telemundo's broadcast of the Mexico-Sweden Group F match was announced as being its most-watched weekday daytime program in the network's history.[269][270]

Unlike previous tournaments, where the rights were bundled with those of South Korea, Korean Central Television acquired rights to the 2018 World Cup within North Korea. Broadcasts only began with the round of 16, and matches were tape delayed and edited for time. In addition, matches involving Japan were excluded from the broadcasts, due to strained relations and campaigns against the country.[271]

Sponsorship

[edit]
FIFA partners FIFA World Cup sponsors African supporters Asian supporters European supporters
  • Egypt – Experience & Invest[284]

Audience

[edit]

A combined 3.572 billion unique viewers (live global 1-minute reach) – more than half of the global population aged four and over – tuned in to world football's ultimate competition, according to audience data for official broadcast coverage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[291]

The average global live audience for every game of the tournament was 191 million viewers (for a cumulative live audience of 12.224  billion viewers), a 2.1% increase over the 2014 tournament average of 187 million viewers, including that average audience in the early stages (group stage and round of 16) were bigger than in 2014. However, in 2018, the audience was 15 percent smaller for the semi-finals, 17 percent for the third place play-off, and 5.1 percent for the final, which was watched by 517 million people on average (only in-home TV viewers), compared to 545 million in 2014. Presumably, the reason for that is the smaller countries involved in the top four games compared to those in 2014, and only one global region (Europe) being represented in 2018 (compared to South America and Europe in 2014). However the live global 1-minute reach of the final was 1.12 billion people (884.37 in-home TV viewers and 231.82 million out-of-home and (or) digital-only viewers).[292]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ellyatt, Holly (14 June 2018). "The World Cup will give Russia's economy a boost — just don't expect it to last". CNBC. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  2. ^ "The Games That Cost Russia $14 Billion: 9 Wild World Cup Money Stats". The Motley Fool. Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  3. ^ Goff, Steve (16 January 2009). "Future World Cups". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 30 April 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2009.
  4. ^ "Mexico withdraws FIFA World Cup bid". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 29 September 2009. Archived from the original on 30 April 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
  5. ^ "Indonesia's bid to host the 2022 World Cup bid ends". BBC News. 19 March 2010. Archived from the original on 20 March 2010. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  6. ^ a b Doyle, Paul; Busfield, Steve (2 December 2010). "World Cup 2018 and 2022 decision day – live!". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 26 December 2016.
  7. ^ "Combined bidding confirmed". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 20 December 2008. Archived from the original on 22 January 2009. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
  8. ^ "England miss out to Russia in 2018 World Cup Vote". BBC News. 2 December 2010. Archived from the original on 3 December 2010. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
  9. ^ Syal, Rajeev (3 December 2010). "World Cup 2018 win raises Russian racism fears". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 20 September 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  10. ^ "Yaya Toure: Black players may boycott 2018 Russia World Cup". BBC Sport. 25 October 2013. Archived from the original on 18 January 2016.
  11. ^ Munro, Kelsey (11 June 2018). "Racism in Russia and FIFA's 3-step plan to tackle it". Sbs.com.au. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018.
  12. ^ Krivosheev, Denis (16 June 2017). "FIFA must challenge Russia's human rights record". CNN. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  13. ^ "Keeping Score 2018: Shrinking Space for Freedom of Expression in Russia". PEN International. 25 May 2018. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  14. ^ McCormick, Joseph Patrick (25 March 2014). "Campaigns demand FIFA bans Russia from hosting 2018 World Cup due to anti-gay law". Pink News. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014.
  15. ^ Lavin, James (28 February 2014). "Why FIFA Needs to Move the World Cup". The Advocate. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014.
  16. ^ "Fifa urged to rethink staging 2018 World Cup in Russia". BBC News. 21 March 2014. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  17. ^ Winter, Stuart (23 March 2014). "US calls for Fifa to drop Russia from hosting World Cup in 2018". Daily Express. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  18. ^ "Sepp Blatter: Russia will host 2018 World Cup despite Crimea". BBC Sport. 21 March 2014. Archived from the original on 28 April 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  19. ^ Patrick Jennings (16 June 2017). "Confederations Cup: World Cup host Russia set to come under spotlight". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  20. ^ "Workers exploited at Russia's 2018 World Cup venues, reveals Human Rights Watch". India Today. Reuters. 14 June 2017. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  21. ^ Editorial Board (15 June 2017). "FIFA has a human rights problem of its own making". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 4 May 2019.
  22. ^ Russia accused of exploiting World Cup stadium workers. TRT World. 23 June 2017. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022 – via YouTube.
  23. ^ ANNE M. PETERSON (25 June 2022). "Group asks for living wages, labor rights for 2026 World Cup". Taiwan News. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  24. ^ Martyn Ziegler (1 March 2017). "Russia and Fifa face 'slave labour' claims". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  25. ^ Dan Roan (9 November 2017). "World Cup: Fifa urged to strengthen workers' rights in Russia & Qatar". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  26. ^ Associated Press (14 June 2017). "Workers on 2018 World Cup construction sites face abuse: Report". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  27. ^ "HRW 'Red Cards' Russia, FIFA For Alleged Abuse Of World Cup Venue Builders". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 14 June 2017. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  28. ^ Min-joo, Kim (3 August 2017). "US senators urge FIFA to dismiss Russia as World Cup host over use of NK labor". The Korea Herald. Yonhap. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  29. ^ "Study finds pervasive racism in Russian soccer ahead of 2018 World Cup". The Washington Post. 27 February 2015. Archived from the original on 6 November 2015.
  30. ^ Alec Luhn (4 June 2015). "Racism in Russia laid bare: more than 100 incidents in just two seasons". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022.
  31. ^ Tony Wesolowsky (6 August 2015). "Ahead Of World Cup, Racism Still Kicking In Russian Soccer". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  32. ^ Olivia Becker (14 March 2015). "FIFA Questions 2018 Russian World Cup Due To Racism". Vice.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  33. ^ "Russian Authorities Fail to Understand Racism — U.N Official". The Moscow Times. 23 July 2015. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  34. ^ World Cup 2018: Can Russia prevent hooliganism, racism & clashes as it happened during the Euro2016?. FRANCE 24 English. 14 June 2018. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022 – via YouTube.
  35. ^ Ornstein, David (17 November 2014). "World Cup: Former FA chief David Bernstein calls for boycott". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 17 November 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  36. ^ Gordon, Aaron (27 June 2017). "What We Know About Corruption in the 2018 And 2022 World Cup Bids". vice.com. Archived from the original on 15 January 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  37. ^ Dunbar, Graham. "FIFA under fire after report on Qatar, Russia". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 16 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  38. ^ "Former FA chairman David Bernstein calls for 2018 World Cup boycott". The Guardian. 17 November 2014. Archived from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  39. ^ "Qatar World Cup organizers ready to fight for 2022". Reuters. 3 June 2015. Archived from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  40. ^ Roan, Dan (17 November 2014). "Greg Dyke: FA demands full report findings into World Cup corruption". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 17 November 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  41. ^ Conway, Richard. "FIFA corruption report: Who is to blame and what happens now?". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 14 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  42. ^ "Michael Garcia: FIFA investigator resigns in World Cup report row". BBC. 17 December 2014. Archived from the original on 15 January 2016.
  43. ^ Rumsby, Ben (4 June 2015). "Fifa in crisis: FBI extends investigation to Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 World Cup bids". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 4 June 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  44. ^ Riach, James (3 June 2015). "FBI investigating Fifa's awarding of 2018 and 2022 World Cups – report". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 4 June 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  45. ^ "'Russia & Qatar may lose World Cups' – Fifa official". BBC News. 7 June 2015. Archived from the original on 2 August 2015.
  46. ^ Gibson, Owen (7 June 2015). "Russia and Qatar may lose World Cups if evidence of bribery is found". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 26 December 2016.
  47. ^ Mendick, Robert; Rumsby, Ben (27 June 2017). "Prince William and David Cameron caught up in Fifa corruption scandal". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 20 January 2018.
  48. ^ "Video: David Cameron and Prince William implicated in FIFA corruption probe". The Belfast Telegraph. 28 June 2017. Archived from the original on 5 January 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  49. ^ "Road to Russia with new milestone". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 15 January 2015. Archived from the original on 21 March 2015.
  50. ^ "Zimbabwe expelled from the preliminary competition of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 12 March 2015. Archived from the original on 16 November 2017.
  51. ^ "Indonesia excluded from 2018 World Cup qualifiers". Reuters. 3 June 2015. Archived from the original on 1 March 2016.
  52. ^ a b "2022 FIFA World Cup to be played in November/December". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 20 March 2015. Archived from the original on 12 November 2017.
  53. ^ "Current allocation of FIFA World Cup confederation slots maintained". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 30 May 2015. Archived from the original on 16 November 2017.
  54. ^ "Long road to Russia begins in Dili". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 11 March 2015. Archived from the original on 16 November 2017.
  55. ^ "FIFA World Cup Preliminary Draw: 1 week to go". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 18 July 2015. Archived from the original on 16 November 2017.
  56. ^ "Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup extends its responsibilities to cover 2018 and 2022". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 19 March 2013. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014.
  57. ^ "Konstantinovsky Palace to stage Preliminary Draw of the 2018 FIFA World Cup". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 10 October 2014. Archived from the original on 31 December 2014.
  58. ^ "Ethics: Executive Committee unanimously supports recommendation to publish report on 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup bidding process". FIFA.com (Press release). Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 19 December 2014. Archived from the original on 29 March 2015.
  59. ^ T.A.W. (12 November 2017). "How Iceland (population: 330,000) qualified for the World Cup". The Economist. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  60. ^ "In first, 4 Arab countries qualify for FIFA World Cup Finals". The Times of Israel. 12 November 2017. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  61. ^ Reineking, Jim (12 June 2018). "FIFA World Cup 2018: Notable teams that failed to qualify". USA Today. Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  62. ^ ""FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking"". FIFA. 7 June 2018. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  63. ^ "Final Draw to take place in State Kremlin Palace". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 24 January 2017. Archived from the original on 16 November 2017.
  64. ^ "Final Draw to take place at 18:00". The Daily Telegraph. 24 November 2017. Archived from the original on 25 November 2017.
  65. ^ "OC for FIFA Competitions approves procedures for the Final Draw of the 2018 FIFA World Cup". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 14 September 2017. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017.
  66. ^ "2018 FIFA World Cup - News - The Final Draw: How it works". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  67. ^ "Organising Committee for FIFA Competitions: Updates on the FIFA World Cup and women's tournaments". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 8 February 2018. Archived from the original on 9 February 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  68. ^ a b c d "Regulations – 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia" (PDF). FIFA. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 July 2017.
  69. ^ "Rest periods for the players on the provisional list for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 30 March 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 April 2017.
  70. ^ "2018 FIFA World Cup – Statistical Kit – Referees" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2018.
  71. ^ "World Cup 2018 List of video match officials" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 April 2018.
  72. ^ "World Cup 2018: Referee Fahad Al Mirdasi 'banned over match-fixing attempt in Saudi Arabia'". BBC. 16 May 2018. Archived from the original on 25 May 2018.
  73. ^ "FIFA statement on the situation of the Saudi Arabian referee Fahad AL MIRDASI". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 30 May 2018. Archived from the original on 1 June 2018.
  74. ^ "Updated: List of FIFA match officials for the 2018 FIFA World Cup" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 June 2018.
  75. ^ "Betraying the Game: African officials filmed taking cash". BBC. 7 June 2018. Archived from the original on 10 June 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  76. ^ a b c "FIFA Council decides on key steps for the future of international competitions". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 16 March 2018. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018.
  77. ^ "VAR: Video assistant referees set to be used at 2018 World Cup in Russia". BBC Sport. 3 March 2018. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  78. ^ a b MacInnes, Paul (12 June 2018). "How will VAR work at the World Cup and how much is riding on it?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  79. ^ Belam, Martin (22 June 2018). "VAR at the World Cup: the big decisions, game by game". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 28 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  80. ^ Austin, Jack (15 June 2018). "Why Diego Costa's goal against Portugal made World Cup history". The Independent. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  81. ^ "World Cup 2018: History made with first penalty awarded by VAR during France vs Australia". The Independent. 16 June 2018. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  82. ^ "Ronaldo penalty sets new World Cup record". ESPN. 26 June 2018. Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  83. ^ McLean, Max (16 June 2018). "12 very different opinions on VAR at the World Cup to help you make your mind up". The Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  84. ^ "FIFA 'satisfied' with World Cup refereeing, VAR". ESPN. 20 June 2018. Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  85. ^ "2018 FIFA World Cup Bid Evaluation Report: Russia" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 December 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2002.
  86. ^ "The border between Europe and Asia". welcome2018.com. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
  87. ^ Marikar, Hafiz. "Russia to host next FIFA World Cup". Dailynews.lk. The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. Archived from the original on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  88. ^ "Почему у России осталось только 14 стадионов к ЧМ-2018 – Известия (Why are there only 14 stadiums for the Russia 2018 World Cup)". Izvestia (in Russian). 7 October 2011. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  89. ^ "2018 FIFA World Cup to be played in 11 Host Cities". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 29 September 2012. Archived from the original on 8 July 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  90. ^ "Russia united for 2018 FIFA World Cup Host Cities announcement". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 29 September 2012. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  91. ^ Saakov, Rafael (22 July 2014). "Russia 2018: Major challenges for next World Cup hosts". BBC News. Archived from the original on 28 July 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  92. ^ Rogovitskiy, Dmitriy (21 October 2014). "Russia on track for World Cup 2018, say FIFA inspectors". Reuters. Archived from the original on 29 October 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  93. ^ "Stadium names for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia confirmed". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 8 October 2015. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017.
  94. ^ "World Cup 2018 stadiums: A guide to the venues of this summer's tournament". The Telegraph. 30 May 2018. Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  95. ^ "Стадион на 45000 зрительских мест к Чемпионату мира по футболу в Нижнем Новгороде" [Stadium for 45,000 spectators for the World Cup in Nizhny Novgorod]. stroytransgaz.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 30 September 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  96. ^ "Стадион на Крестовском ввели в эксплуатацию". fontanka.ru (in Russian). 29 December 2016. Archived from the original on 20 February 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  97. ^ Chizhenok, Alexander (2017). Construction of the stadium "Volgograd Arena". Openwork roof. [1]. Volgograd: Boris Yeltsin Presidential Library. Archived from the original on 10 October 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  98. ^ "Luzhniki Stadium". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 16 November 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  99. ^ "Spartak Stadium". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  100. ^ "Saint Petersburg Stadium". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 6 December 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  101. ^ "Fisht Stadium". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  102. ^ "Volgograd Arena". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 15 October 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  103. ^ "Rostov Arena". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  104. ^ "Nizhny Novgorod Stadium". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  105. ^ "Kazan Arena". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  106. ^ "Samara Arena". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  107. ^ "Mordovia Arena". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 14 May 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  108. ^ "Kaliningrad Stadium". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 8 October 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  109. ^ "Ekaterinburg Arena". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  110. ^ "Team Base Camps for 2018 FIFA World Cup confirmed". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 9 February 2018. Archived from the original on 10 February 2018.
  111. ^ "Croatia defender Pivaric says he has 'excellent' 1st impression of training base". fourfourtwo.com.au. 12 June 2018. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  112. ^ McNulty, Phil (12 June 2018). "World Cup 2018: Life inside the England bubble – what they can expect in Repino". BBC. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  113. ^ Grohmann, Karolos (14 June 2018). "Soccer: No tropical paradise? No problem for Germany, says midfielder Kroos". Reuters. Archived from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  114. ^ a b "Непредвиденные расходы: как менялась смета ЧМ-2018". rbc.ru (in Russian). 8 June 2018. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  115. ^ a b "Russia's 2018 World Cup costs grow by $600 million". USA Today. 24 October 2017. Archived from the original on 1 May 2018.
  116. ^ "Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says 2018 FIFA World Cup to cost 20 billion dollars". NDTV. 13 June 2013. Archived from the original on 2 March 2018.
  117. ^ "2018 World Cup: Russia to spend $5 billion on transport, despite cuts". Russia Beyond. 7 January 2016. Archived from the original on 2 March 2018.
  118. ^ "Бюджет чемпионата мира 2018 года – около €1 млрд" [The budget for the 2018 World Cup is about €1 billion]. Чемпионат (in Russian). 18 September 2015. Archived from the original on 5 January 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  119. ^ "На подготовку транспортной инфраструктуры ЧМ-2018 в России потрачено 228 млрд" [228 billion spent on preparation of the transport infrastructure of the World Cup 2018]. sport24.ru (in Russian). 3 May 2018. Archived from the original on 1 June 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  120. ^ a b "Алмазная радиосвязь". Газета.Ru (in Russian). 30 March 2018. Archived from the original on 1 June 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  121. ^ "В Мордовии к ЧМ-2018 прошли классификацию два хостела и мотель". info-rm.com. 16 January 2018. Archived from the original on 14 March 2018.
  122. ^ "Трамвайная линия до стадиона для ЧМ в Самаре готова на 89%". samru.ru. 22 February 2018. Archived from the original on 2 March 2018.
  123. ^ "Kaliningrad airport's new terminal put in operation". Russian Aviation Insider. 26 July 2017. Archived from the original on 22 May 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  124. ^ "В Екатеринбурге увеличились расходы на подготовку к проведению ЧМ-2018". regnum.ru (in Russian). 14 June 2018. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  125. ^ "Новый рекорд волонтерской программы ЧМ-2018" [New record of the Volunteer program of the World Cup 2018]. welcome2018.com (in Russian). 17 January 2017. Archived from the original on 22 August 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  126. ^ "Набор волонтеров на ЧМ-2018 установил новый рекорд Чемпионатов мира" [A set of volunteers at the World Cup 2018 set a new World Cup record]. FIFA.com (in Russian). Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 17 January 2017. Archived from the original on 1 June 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  127. ^ "Чемпионат мира по футболу FIFA 2018 в России – Волонтерская программа: F.A.Q." [FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia – Volunteer program: F.A.Q.]. FIFA.com (in Russian). Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 10 October 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  128. ^ a b Ames, Nick (27 March 2018). "World Cup 2018: what is a Fan ID and do I need one to watch games in Russia?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  129. ^ a b Wildie, Tom (8 June 2018). "Aussie soccer fan's World Cup dream crushed by new Russian visa rejection". ABC News. Archived from the original on 9 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  130. ^ a b "What World Cup fans going to Russia should know". BBC News. 6 June 2018. Archived from the original on 10 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  131. ^ "Match schedules for FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 and 2018 FIFA World Cup unveiled". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 24 July 2015. Archived from the original on 5 October 2017.
  132. ^ "FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 – Match Schedule" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 September 2017.
  133. ^ a b "FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 – Match Schedule" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 20 December 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  134. ^ Morrin, Siobhan (13 June 2018). "Your Ultimate Guide to Watching the 2018 World Cup". Time. Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  135. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking – October 2017". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 16 October 2017. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  136. ^ "World Cup 2018 fixtures: full schedule, results and match dates". The Telegraph. 14 June 2018. Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  137. ^ "World Cup 2018 Opening Ceremony: What time will it start and when will Robbie Williams feature?". The Telegraph. 13 June 2018. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  138. ^ "Robbie Williams show at World Cup opening ceremony is too short to ever be dull". The Guardian. 14 June 2018. Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  139. ^ a b c d e "World Cup 2018: Ronaldo and Robbie Williams star in opening ceremony". BBC Sport. 14 June 2018. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  140. ^ "211 countries and regions take part in the Sixth International Football for Friendship Children's Forum". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 10 April 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  141. ^ White, Adam (27 June 2018). "What does Didier Deschamps want from his France team? If only he knew". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 28 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  142. ^ "Tie-breakers for Russia 2018 groups". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 20 June 2018. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  143. ^ "Match report – Group A – Russia v Saudi Arabia" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 14 June 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  144. ^ "Match report – Group A – Egypt v Uruguay" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  145. ^ "Match report – Group A – Russia v Egypt" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 19 June 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  146. ^ "Match report – Group A – Uruguay v Saudi Arabia" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  147. ^ "Match report – Group A – Uruguay v Russia" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  148. ^ "Match report – Group A – Saudi Arabia v Egypt" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  149. ^ "Match report – Group B – Morocco v IR Iran" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  150. ^ "Match report – Group B – Portugal v Spain" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  151. ^ "Match report – Group B – Portugal v Morocco" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  152. ^ "Match report – Group B – IR Iran v Spain" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  153. ^ "Match report – Group B – IR Iran v Portugal" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  154. ^ "Match report – Group B – Spain v Morocco" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  155. ^ "Match report – Group C – France v Australia" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 16 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  156. ^ "Match report – Group C – Peru v Denmark" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 16 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  157. ^ "Match report – Group C – Denmark v Australia" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 21 June 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  158. ^ "Match report – Group C – France v Peru" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 21 June 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  159. ^ "Match report – Group C – Denmark v France" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  160. ^ "Match report – Group C – Australia v Peru" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  161. ^ "Match report – Group D – Argentina v Iceland" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 16 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  162. ^ "Match report – Group D – Croatia v Nigeria" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 16 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  163. ^ "Match report – Group D – Argentina v Croatia" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 21 June 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  164. ^ "Match report – Group D – Nigeria v Iceland" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 22 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  165. ^ "Match report – Group D – Nigeria v Argentina" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  166. ^ "Match report – Group D – Iceland v Croatia" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  167. ^ "Match report – Group E – Costa Rica v Serbia" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 17 June 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  168. ^ "Match report – Group E – Brazil v Switzerland" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 17 June 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  169. ^ "Match report – Group E – Brazil v Costa Rica" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 22 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  170. ^ "Match report – Group E – Serbia v Switzerland" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 22 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  171. ^ "Match report – Group E – Serbia v Brazil" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 27 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  172. ^ "Match report – Group E – Switzerland v Costa Rica" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 27 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  173. ^ "Match report – Group F – Germany v Mexico" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 17 June 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  174. ^ "Match report – Group F – Sweden v Korea Republic" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 18 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  175. ^ "Match report – Group F – Korea Republic v Mexico" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 23 June 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
  176. ^ "Match report – Group F – Germany v Sweden" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 23 June 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
  177. ^ "Match report – Group F – Korea Republic v Germany" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 27 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  178. ^ "Match report – Group F – Mexico v Sweden" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 27 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  179. ^ "Match report – Group G – Belgium v Panama" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 18 June 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  180. ^ "Match report – Group G – Tunisia v England" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 18 June 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  181. ^ "Match report – Group G – Belgium v Tunisia" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 23 June 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
  182. ^ "Match report – Group G – England v Panama" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 24 June 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  183. ^ "Match report – Group G – England v Belgium" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  184. ^ "Match report – Group G – Panama v Tunisia" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  185. ^ "Match report – Group H – Colombia v Japan" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 19 June 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  186. ^ "Match report – Group H – Poland v Senegal" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 19 June 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  187. ^ "Match report – Group H – Japan v Senegal" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 24 June 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  188. ^ "Match report – Group H – Poland v Colombia" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 24 June 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  189. ^ "Match report – Group H – Japan v Poland" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  190. ^ "Match report – Group H – Senegal v Colombia" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  191. ^ "Match report – Round of 16 – France v Argentina" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 30 June 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  192. ^ "Match report – Round of 16 – Uruguay v Portugal" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 30 June 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 June 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  193. ^ "Match report – Round of 16 – Spain v Russia" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 1 July 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  194. ^ "Match report – Round of 16 – Croatia v Denmark" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 1 July 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  195. ^ "Match report – Round of 16 – Brazil v Mexico" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 2 July 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  196. ^ "Match report – Round of 16 – Belgium v Japan" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 2 July 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  197. ^ "Match report – Round of 16 – Sweden v Switzerland" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 3 July 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 July 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  198. ^ "Match report – Round of 16 – Colombia v England" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 3 July 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 July 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  199. ^ "Match report – Quarter-final – Uruguay v France" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 6 July 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  200. ^ "Match report – Quarter-final – Brazil v Belgium" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 6 July 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  201. ^ "Match report – Quarter-final – Sweden v England" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 7 July 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  202. ^ "Match report – Quarter-final – Russia v Croatia" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 7 July 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  203. ^ "Match report – Semi-final – France v Belgium" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 10 July 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  204. ^ "Match report – Semi-final – Croatia v England" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2018.
  205. ^ "Match report – Play-off for third place – Belgium v England" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 14 July 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  206. ^ Kelly, Ryan (15 July 2018). "Mandzukic makes World Cup history with own goal against France in Russia 2018 final". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 15 July 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  207. ^ "When Own Goals Don't Really Count". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 8 June 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  208. ^ "Players: Goals scored". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 24 February 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  209. ^ "World Cup by the numbers - 169 goals, 29 penalties, 10 late winners, 4 red cards". ESPN. 16 July 2018. Archived from the original on 17 July 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  210. ^ "VAR effect results in cleanest World Cup since 1986 after no red cards are issued in opening 11 games". The Telegraph. 17 June 2018. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  211. ^ "Golden consolation for magical Modric". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 15 July 2018. Archived from the original on 16 July 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  212. ^ "FIFA World Cup Fan Dream Team". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 18 July 2018. Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  213. ^ "Fan Dream Team and prize winners revealed!". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 23 July 2018. Archived from the original on 28 August 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  214. ^ "Vote for Goal of the Tournament". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 15 July 2018. Archived from the original on 26 July 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  215. ^ "Pavard's stunner voted Hyundai Goal of the Tournament". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 25 July 2018. Archived from the original on 25 July 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  216. ^ "Kane crowned King, Mina the PPG VIP". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 17 July 2018. Archived from the original on 18 July 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  217. ^ "FIFA World Cup Prize Money" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 27 October 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
  218. ^ "Font scandal at FIFA World Cup". Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  219. ^ "Ticket sales for 2018 FIFA World Cup to start on 14 September 2017". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 12 September 2017. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017.
  220. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (30 April 2018). "FIFA 18 gets free World Cup mode in May". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 1 May 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  221. ^ Dayus, Oscar (30 May 2018). "FIFA 18 World Cup Update Out Now For Free, Here's What It Adds". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  222. ^ "Brand collaborations". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 9 September 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  223. ^ "Panini World Cup sticker album: Inside story behind the craze". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on 12 August 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  224. ^ "12 Years Running: Panini's FIFA World Cup Digital Sticker Album is More Popular Than Ever". Coca-Cola Company. Archived from the original on 5 October 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  225. ^ "Russia 2018: World Cup mascot Zabivaka the wolf unveiled in Moscow". The Guardian. 21 October 2016. Archived from the original on 25 March 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  226. ^ Bate, Adam (16 July 2014). "World Cup Final: Was Lionel Messi Really a Disappointment in Brazil or Have We Just Become Numb to His Genius?". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  227. ^ "World Cup 2018: New ball to be used for knockout stage". BBC Sport. 6 June 2018. Archived from the original on 29 June 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  228. ^ Teather, Jamie (16 June 2018). "World Cup ball: Adidas Telstar 18 'a problem for goalkeepers'". London Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  229. ^ Price, Steve (28 March 2018). "Why Nike Contract Could Hurt England's Preparations For Russia 2018 World Cup". Forbes. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  230. ^ "World Cup 2018: Adidas has a problem with the Telstar 18, is Messi the GOAT?". News.com.au. 21 June 2018. Archived from the original on 26 June 2019. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  231. ^ "Telstar 18 balls burst during France". AS.com. 16 June 2018. Archived from the original on 19 June 2019. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  232. ^ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Official Song 'Live It Up' to be performed by all-star line-up". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 23 May 2018. Archived from the original on 29 May 2018.
  233. ^ "Fifa contacts McLaren over doping claims in football". BBC Sport. 21 November 2017. Archived from the original on 16 December 2017.
  234. ^ Conn, David (20 December 2017). "Doctor sacked by Fifa was investigating alleged Russian football doping". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  235. ^ "Update on the investigations following the McLaren reports". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 22 May 2018. Archived from the original on 22 May 2018.
  236. ^ "Russians to take no part in World Cup drug testing: FIFA". Reuters. 24 May 2018. Archived from the original on 28 May 2018.
  237. ^ "2021 Trafficking in Persons Report: Russia". United States Department of State. in the section titled TRAFFICKING PROFILE. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  238. ^ Maria Vasilyeva (6 March 2019). "Traffickers Used Russia's World Cup To Enslave Us, Say Nigerian Women". The Moscow Times. Reuters. Archived from the original on 10 December 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  239. ^ "Traffickers farmed Russia's World Cup for sex slaves". Bangkok Post. Reuters. 7 March 2019. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  240. ^ Gershkovich, Evan (13 June 2018). "Russia's World Cup Opens the Floodgates for Trafficked Sex Workers". The Moscow Times. Archived from the original on 10 December 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  241. ^ Roache, Madeline (13 July 2018). "Putin Doesn't Care about Sex Trafficking". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022.
  242. ^ Osborne, Samuel (14 March 2018). "Theresa May's statement in full as she expels 23 Russian spies from Britain". The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 March 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  243. ^ "Moscow official says West is trying to deny Russia World Cup". BBC News. 1 April 2018. Archived from the original on 1 April 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  244. ^ Osborne, Samuel (21 March 2018). "Sergei Skripal: Chemical weapons inspectors arrive in Salisbury to investigate nerve agent attack". The Independent. Archived from the original on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  245. ^ "Is Russia the real winner of World Cup 2018?". BBC. Archived from the original on 17 July 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  246. ^ "World Cup 2018: New report highlights MPs' concern for England fans in Russia". BBC News. 8 June 2018. Archived from the original on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  247. ^ Calder, Simon (15 March 2018). "World Cup 2018: England football fans warned of potential 'anti-British harassment' when travelling to Russia". The Independent. Archived from the original on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  248. ^ Mendick, Robert; Luhn, Alec (18 June 2018). "England fans welcomed with open arms in Volgograd ahead of opening 2018 World Cup match against Tunisia". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  249. ^ Carroll, Oliver (19 June 2018). "World Cup 2018: England fans praise welcome by Russian hosts as they celebrate first win". The Independent. Archived from the original on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  250. ^ "Qatar 2022 will be held in November and December". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 18 July 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  251. ^ "Gianni Infantino: World Cup 2018 the best ever". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 18 July 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
  252. ^ "FIFA Confederations Cup Testing 4K; Might Lead to World Cup 'Ultra HD' Broadcast". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  253. ^ "4K TV misses its World Cup goal". The Verge. Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  254. ^ "Fox, Telemundo Offer a Clearer View of FIFA World Cup Russia". TV Technology. Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  255. ^ "World Cup 2018: BBC to show tournament in Ultra HD & virtual reality". BBC Sport. 30 May 2018. Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  256. ^ "FuboTV streaming World Cup in 4K resolution". SportsPro. Archived from the original on 14 December 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  257. ^ "Ukrainian public broadcaster decides not to show World Cup matches". Kyiv Post. 12 February 2018. Archived from the original on 14 March 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  258. ^ Carp, Sam. "Ukraine's public broadcaster refuses to show Fifa World Cup". SportsPro. Archived from the original on 14 March 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  259. ^ "Inter Media Group secures World Cup rights in Ukraine". TV Sports Markets. 31 May 2018. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  260. ^ Bershidsky, Leonid (18 June 2018). "You Can Hate Putin But Love the World Cup". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  261. ^ Gokulan, Dhanusha (3 June 2018). "UAE football fans fear missing out on Fifa World Cup action". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  262. ^ "beIN Sports pulls TV channels from du customers in the UAE". ArabianBusiness.com. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  263. ^ "Etisalat announces FIFA World Cup 2018 package". ArabianBusiness.com. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  264. ^ Vivarelli, Nick (13 June 2018). "World Cup: Diplomatic Crisis in Middle East Stokes Fears of Piracy". Variety. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  265. ^ "FIFA to take legal action against beoutQ over World Cup broadcasts". Arabian Business. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  266. ^ Draper, Kevin (11 October 2017). "Fox and Others Will Feel Pain of U.S. Absence at World Cup". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  267. ^ Deitsch, Richard (11 October 2017). "With USMNT eliminated from World Cup, Fox must refocus coverage plan". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on 26 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  268. ^ Shaw, Lucas; Novy-Williams, Eben; Broudway, Ira (11 October 2017). "Fox projects up to $20 million in lost World Cup ad sales". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 26 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  269. ^ Steinberg, Brian (3 July 2018). "World Cup Strains to Reverse Sports-Viewing Trends". Variety. Archived from the original on 14 October 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  270. ^ Ingold, Ira Boudway, Eben Novy-Williams, David. "Fox and Telemundo 2018 World Cup ratings are down 44 percent from 2014". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 14 October 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  271. ^ Williams, Martyn (9 July 2018). "North Korean TV picks up World Cup from Round of 16". North Korea Tech. Archived from the original on 28 May 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  272. ^ "FIFA and adidas extend partnership until 2030". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 21 November 2013. Archived from the original on 28 June 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  273. ^ Matthews, Sam (22 November 2005). "Coca-Cola renews Fifa football sponsorship until 2022". Campaign. Archived from the original on 27 August 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  274. ^ Millerchip, Oliver (16 September 2013). "Gazprom agrees Fifa sponsorship deal". SportsPro. Archived from the original on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  275. ^ "Hyundai-Kia drives on as FIFA Partner until 2022". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 24 November 2010. Archived from the original on 18 June 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  276. ^ "Qatar Airways announced as Official Partner and Official Airline of FIFA until 2022". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 7 May 2017. Archived from the original on 11 May 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  277. ^ Mickle, Tripp (1 April 2013). "Visa extending World Cup deal for eight years". Sports Business Daily. Archived from the original on 27 August 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  278. ^ "Wanda Group becomes new FIFA Partner". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 18 March 2016. Archived from the original on 24 April 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  279. ^ "FIFA and Anheuser-Busch InBev announce FIFA World Cup sponsorship for 2018 / 2022". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 25 October 2011. Archived from the original on 27 August 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  280. ^ "Hisense becomes Official Sponsor of 2018 FIFA World Cup". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 6 April 2017. Archived from the original on 20 May 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  281. ^ "McDonald's looking ahead to 2018". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 24 October 2014. Archived from the original on 29 May 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  282. ^ Carp, Sam (20 December 2017). "Mengniu Group added to Fifa World Cup sponsor line-up". SportsPro. Archived from the original on 24 December 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  283. ^ Carp, Sam (31 May 2017). "Fifa agrees massive World Cup deal with Vivo". SportsPro. Archived from the original on 2 June 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  284. ^ "Egypt government selected as regional sponsor for 2018 FIFA World Cup". Egypt Independent. 13 June 2018. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  285. ^ a b Long, Danielle (11 June 2018). "More Chinese sponsors sign up for Fifa World Cup". The Drum. Archived from the original on 14 March 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  286. ^ Carp, Sam (8 February 2018). "Fifa adds latest Chinese sponsor for World Cup". SportsPro. Archived from the original on 14 March 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  287. ^ "Alfa-Bank unveiled as first-ever Regional Supporter for the FIFA World Cup". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 18 July 2016. Archived from the original on 21 May 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  288. ^ "Alrosa completes line-up of European Regional Supporters of the 2018 FIFA World Cup". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 23 April 2018. Archived from the original on 25 April 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  289. ^ Carp, Sam (21 March 2018). "Fifa World Cup adds Rostelecom as regional partner". SportsPro. Archived from the original on 1 June 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  290. ^ "Russian Railways announced as an Official European Supporter of the 2018 FIFA World Cup". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 5 April 2018. Archived from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  291. ^ "More than half the world watched record-breaking 2018 World Cup". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  292. ^ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Global broadcast and audience summary" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Wikiquote has quotations related to 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2018_FIFA_World_Cup&oldid=1258384653"