The 2018 FIFA World Cup begins this week in venues across Russia. There are 32 teams competing in the tournament, which concludes with the final on July 15. Even without Team USA’s participation, it’s going to be a thrilling month of soccer at its best.
The Americans failed to earn a spot in the World Cup due to their inability to win enough games during qualifying. It’s the first time that the U.S. men’s national team has missed a World Cup since 1986.
Brazil, France, Belgium, Argentina and defending champions Germany are among the top contenders to win the tournament. Spain, which recently changed coaches after Julen Lopetegui took the job with Real Madrid, could also be in the mix despite the chaos.
This is the first time that Russia has ever hosted a World Cup. It comes four years after the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. The 2022 World Cup will be in Qatar, while the 2026 World Cup was recently awarded to a joint bid by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
2018 FIFA World Cup schedule and scores
All times Central
Thursday, June 14
Russia 5, Saudi Arabia 0
Friday, June 15
Uruguay 1, Egypt 0
Iran 1, Morocco 0
Spain 3, Portugal 3
Saturday, June 16
France 2, Australia 1
Argentina 1, Iceland 1
Denmark 1, Peru 0
Croatia 2, Nigeria 0
Sunday, June 17
Serbia 1, Costa Rica 0
Mexico 1, Germany 0
Brazil 1, Switzerland 1
Monday, June 18
Sweden 1, South Korea 0
Belgium 3, Panama 0
England 2, Tunisia 1
Tuesday, June 19
Japan 2, Colombia 1
Senegal 2, Poland 1
Russia 3, Egypt 1
Wednesday, June 20
Portugal 1, Morocco 0
Uruguay 1, Saudi Arabia 0
Spain 1, Iran 0
Thursday, June 21
Denmark 1, Australia 1
France 1, Peru 0
Croatia 3, Argentina 0
Friday, June 22
Brazil 2, Costa Rica 1
Nigeria 2, Iceland 0
Switzerland 2, Serbia 1
Saturday, June 23
Belgium 5, Tunisia 2
Mexico 2, South Korea 1
Germany 2, Sweden 1
Sunday, June 24
England 6, Panama 1
Japan 2, Senegal 2
Colombia 3, Poland 0
Monday, June 25
Uruguay 3, Russia 0
Saudi Arabia 2, Egypt 1
Spain 2, Morocco 2
Iran 1, Portugal 1
Tuesday, June 26
Peru 2, Australia 0
Denmark 0, France 0
Argentina 2, Nigeria 1
Croatia 2, Iceland 1
Wednesday, June 27
South Korea 2, Germany 0
Sweden 3, Mexico 0
1 p.m. – Serbia vs. Brazil
1 p.m. – Switzerland vs Costa Rica
Thursday, June 28
9 a.m. – Japan vs. Poland
9 a.m. – Senegal vs. Colombia
1 p.m. – Panama vs. Tunisia
1 p.m. – England vs. Belgium
Knockout stage – Round of 16
Saturday, June 30
9 a.m. – Match 50: Group C winner vs. Group D runner-up
1 p.m. – Match 49: Group A winner vs. Group B runner-up
Sunday, July 1
9 a.m. – Match 51: Group B winner vs. Group A runner-up
1 p.m. – Match 52: Group D winner vs. Group C runner-up
Monday, July 2
9 a.m. – Match 53: Group E winner vs. Group F runner-up
1 p.m. – Match 54: Group G winner vs. Group H runner-up
Tuesday, July 3
9 a.m. – Match 55: Group F winner vs. Group E runner-up
1 p.m. – Match 56: Group H winner vs. Group G runner-up
Knockout stage – Quarterfinals
Friday, July 6
9 a.m. – Match 57: Match 49 winner vs. Match 50 winner
1 p.m. – Match 58: Match 53 winner vs. Match 54 winner
Saturday, July 7
9 a.m. – Match 60: Match 55 winner vs. Match 56 winner
1 p.m. – Match 59: Match 51 winner vs. Match 52 winner
Knockout stage – Semifinals
Tuesday, July 10
1 p.m. – Match 61: Match 57 winner vs. Match 58 winner
Wednesday, July 11
1 p.m. – Match 62: Match 59 winner vs. Match 60 winner
Third-place match
Saturday, July 14
9 a.m. – Match 61 loser vs. Match 62 loser
2018 World Cup Final
Sunday, July 15
10 a.m. – Match 61 winner vs. Match 62 winner
Groups
Group A: Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uruguay
Group B: Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Iran
Group C: France, Australia, Peru, Denmark
Group D: Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria
Group E: Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia
Group F: Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea
Group G: Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England
Group H: Poland, Senegal, Colombia, Japan
