The 2018 FIFA World Cup became the 21st FIFA World Cup, a four-year international football tournament attended by the men's national team of FIFA member associations. The tournament was held in Russia from 14 June to 15 July 2018, after the country was chosen as the host on 2 December 2010.
This World Cup edition became the first held in Europe since the 2006 edition in Germany. The entire stadium except the Central Stadium is located in Europe Russia, the western part of the Ural Mountains, in order to reduce travel time due to the vast country.
The final round involves 32 national teams, consisting of 31 teams qualifying through the qualifying round and the home team that qualify automatically.
Of 32 teams of participants, 20 teams made consecutive appearances since the last edition in 2014 including the defending champions Germany, while Iceland and Panama both premiered in the FIFA World Cup. A total of 64 games played in 12 stadiums spread across 11 cities. The final match takes place on July 15 at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow.
The winners of this edition of the World Cup qualify for the FIFA Confederations Cup of 2021. Pre-tournament, favorites to win the final are Brazil, France, Germany, and Spain.
The FIFA World Cup 2018 and 2022 FIFA host selection stages start in January 2009, where the national association has until February 2, 2009 to register. Initially, seven countries bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
During the election process, non-UEFA countries (Australia, Japan and the United States) gradually withdraw from 2018 host elections, while UEFA countries withdrew from the 2022 edition of the host host. That way, four offers to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup: England, Russia, Netherlands / Belgium and Spain / Portugal.
Reference
Steepshot