2018 FIFA World Cup
The 2018 FIFA World Cup is the 21st FIFA World Cup, a quadrennial international football tournament contested by the men's national teams of the member associations of FIFA. It is currently ongoing in Russia starting from 14 June and will end with the final match on 15 July 2018.[1] The country was awarded the hosting rights on 2 December 2010.
This is the first World Cup to be held in Eastern Europe,[2] and the eleventh time that it has been held in Europe. For the first time the tournament takes place on two continents – Europe and Asia.[3] All of the stadium venues are in or just near European Russia to keep travel time manageable. At an estimated cost of over $14.2 billion, it is the most expensive World Cup ever.[4]
The final tournament involves 32 national teams, which include 31 teams determined through qualifying competitions and the automatically qualified host team. Of the 32 teams, 20 make back-to-back appearances following the last tournament in 2014, including defending champions Germany, while both Iceland and Panama make their first appearances at a FIFA World Cup. A total of 64 matches will be played in 12 venues located in 11 cities. The final will take place on 15 July at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.[5]
The winners of the World Cup will qualify for the 2021 FIFA Confederations Cup.[B]
2018 World Cup content and fixtures
Fixtures: Daily match schedule
Scores: Follow every match
Group scenarios: How each nation can reach the knockout rounds
Tables: All the group standings
Bracket: The knockout stages
FiveThirtyEight's SPI: Who are the favourites?
FIFA World Ranking: Germany No. 1
News and features: ESPN's home for everything World Cup
Betting guide: How to bet the World Cup
Para la cobertura de los Copa Mundial en español, visite ESPN Deportes
Para a cobertura dos Copa do Mundo em Português, por favor visite ESPN Brasil.
Scores: Follow every match
Group scenarios: How each nation can reach the knockout rounds
Tables: All the group standings
Bracket: The knockout stages
FiveThirtyEight's SPI: Who are the favourites?
FIFA World Ranking: Germany No. 1
News and features: ESPN's home for everything World Cup
Betting guide: How to bet the World Cup
Para la cobertura de los Copa Mundial en español, visite ESPN Deportes
Para a cobertura dos Copa do Mundo em Português, por favor visite ESPN Brasil.
What to read and watch: Preview content
PLAY: ESPN FC's Match Predictor game, and get some tips here
Predictions: See what the ESPN pundits are saying
World Cup Rank: The top 50 players competing at Russia 2018. Read
The results are in! See the final World Cup Ultimate XI. Read
Predictions: See what the ESPN pundits are saying
World Cup Rank: The top 50 players competing at Russia 2018. Read
The results are in! See the final World Cup Ultimate XI. Read
Alternative 2018 World Cup Fans' Guide: Forget tactics, here's what you really need to know! Read
World Cup team posters: Check out our specially commissioned graphics.
World Cup 2018 team previews: What you need to know about all 32 teams. Read
World Cup team posters: Check out our specially commissioned graphics.
World Cup 2018 team previews: What you need to know about all 32 teams. Read
Sam Borden: Will the World Cup in Russia be overshadowed by racism, hooligans and politics? Read
Marvel's Amazing World Cup Spoilers: Marvel brings you the epic stories, big heroes and mega-villains in Russia this summer. Read
Special report: Inside Russia's new-school hooligan culture. Read
World Cup Boot-Spotter's Guide: Who is wearing what on their feet?Read
Iceland: Remember the darlings of Euro 2016? They want to shock the world. And there's more to them than that thunderclap. Read
Marvel's Amazing World Cup Spoilers: Marvel brings you the epic stories, big heroes and mega-villains in Russia this summer. Read
Special report: Inside Russia's new-school hooligan culture. Read
World Cup Boot-Spotter's Guide: Who is wearing what on their feet?Read
Iceland: Remember the darlings of Euro 2016? They want to shock the world. And there's more to them than that thunderclap. Read
World Cup Top Tenners: We take a look at the good, the bad and the ugly from tournaments gone by. Read
World Cup final 23-man squads: Who will be on the plane to Russia? Read
Best represented clubs: Which clubs are sending the most men to the biggest show on Earth? Read
Power Rankings: The Top 10 teams, as voted for by editors around the world. Read
World Cup rivalries: Beckham vs. Simeone, Zidane vs. Materazzi and Pele vs. Moore are among the best we have seen. Read
World Cup final 23-man squads: Who will be on the plane to Russia? Read
Best represented clubs: Which clubs are sending the most men to the biggest show on Earth? Read
Power Rankings: The Top 10 teams, as voted for by editors around the world. Read
World Cup rivalries: Beckham vs. Simeone, Zidane vs. Materazzi and Pele vs. Moore are among the best we have seen. Read
VAR: What it means for the World Cup finals. Read
Best World Cup mascots: From cuddly to surreal to conceptual art projects, mascots down the years have been a mixed bunch. Read
Photo Gallery: Introducing the next generation of World Cup stars. Read
How the World Cup affects MLS: With MLS taking a short break during the World Cup, we look at the teams hardest hit. Read
Best World Cup mascots: From cuddly to surreal to conceptual art projects, mascots down the years have been a mixed bunch. Read
Photo Gallery: Introducing the next generation of World Cup stars. Read
How the World Cup affects MLS: With MLS taking a short break during the World Cup, we look at the teams hardest hit. Read
Argentina vs Croatia, Live Score, FIFA World Cup 2018: Messi and Argentina Find it Hard to Break Down Croatia
Argentina are rallying around captain Lionel Messi as the South American giants prepare for their crucial Group D clash with Croatia here on Thursday. Messi made an unhappy start to the World Cup on Saturday, missing what would have been a winning penalty as Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw by minnows Iceland.
It was a result that has renewed doubts about Argentina's ability to mount a sustained challenge at this World Cup, four years after they reached the final in Brazil. Another adverse outcome on Thursday and many may even start to consider the unthinkable -- that Argentina could be on their way out at the group stage, mirroring their shock first round exit in 2002. Legend Diego Maradona called the Iceland result a "disgrace" and warned coach Jorge Sampaoli he would not be able to return to Argentina with similar performances. Adding to the sense of disappointment, Messi's missed penalty was accompanied by 11 unsuccessful shots, the most in a World Cup game without return by a single player since Italy's Luigi Riva in 1970. Argentina's players however have been quick to close ranks around the Barcelona superstar. "We are all with him, he knows that he can count on the support of all of us more than ever," said Argentina striker Paulo Dybala. "We are here to help him every moment, and of course we will be at his side," Dybala added.
Defender Cristian Ansaldi meanwhile insisted Messi was in good spirits despite the Iceland setback. "We all know what Messi represents to our team and to our country," Ansaldi said. "Not only is he the best player in the world on the pitch, he is also best player off the field. He's in good shape and that's good for us." Despite the solitary point against Iceland, Argentina can take solace from a performance which saw them muster 26 shots and have 72 per cent possession against Iceland. Sampaoli is reportedly considering several changes for the game, including drafting in young forward Cristian Pavon for Angel Di Maria for more creativity up front. Similarly in midfield, Paris Saint-Germain's Giovani Lo Celso could start as Argentina seek more attacking options, possibly at the expense of Lucas Biglia. Their jobs would be to supply Messi and goalscorer against Iceland Sergio Aguero with the kind of service on which they would thrive in a potential 3-3-3-1 formation. Croatia may have secured a vital three points in their 2-0 win against Nigeria in their opening game, but their mood can hardly be described as euphoric.
They came into the tournament under a cloud, with captain Luka Modric charged with perjury in a corruption scandal which has rocked Croatian football. And striker Nikola Kalinic has left Russia due to a back injury, says coach Zlatko Dalic, but amid reports he refused to come on as a substitute after being left out of the starting line-up. Off-field problems for now though have not affected them and they are expected to field an unchanged team, which also includes Messi's Barcelona teammate Ivan Rakitic. The teams have met only once before in the World Cup, in 1998, when Argentina won 1-0 and were the only team that year to prevent Golden Boot winner Davor Suker from scoring. One other possible omen for Thursday; when Riva racked up his unwanted record in 1970, the Italian legend promptly scored two goals in his next match. Argentina will be hoping for the same from Messi.
It was a result that has renewed doubts about Argentina's ability to mount a sustained challenge at this World Cup, four years after they reached the final in Brazil. Another adverse outcome on Thursday and many may even start to consider the unthinkable -- that Argentina could be on their way out at the group stage, mirroring their shock first round exit in 2002. Legend Diego Maradona called the Iceland result a "disgrace" and warned coach Jorge Sampaoli he would not be able to return to Argentina with similar performances. Adding to the sense of disappointment, Messi's missed penalty was accompanied by 11 unsuccessful shots, the most in a World Cup game without return by a single player since Italy's Luigi Riva in 1970. Argentina's players however have been quick to close ranks around the Barcelona superstar. "We are all with him, he knows that he can count on the support of all of us more than ever," said Argentina striker Paulo Dybala. "We are here to help him every moment, and of course we will be at his side," Dybala added.
Defender Cristian Ansaldi meanwhile insisted Messi was in good spirits despite the Iceland setback. "We all know what Messi represents to our team and to our country," Ansaldi said. "Not only is he the best player in the world on the pitch, he is also best player off the field. He's in good shape and that's good for us." Despite the solitary point against Iceland, Argentina can take solace from a performance which saw them muster 26 shots and have 72 per cent possession against Iceland. Sampaoli is reportedly considering several changes for the game, including drafting in young forward Cristian Pavon for Angel Di Maria for more creativity up front. Similarly in midfield, Paris Saint-Germain's Giovani Lo Celso could start as Argentina seek more attacking options, possibly at the expense of Lucas Biglia. Their jobs would be to supply Messi and goalscorer against Iceland Sergio Aguero with the kind of service on which they would thrive in a potential 3-3-3-1 formation. Croatia may have secured a vital three points in their 2-0 win against Nigeria in their opening game, but their mood can hardly be described as euphoric.
They came into the tournament under a cloud, with captain Luka Modric charged with perjury in a corruption scandal which has rocked Croatian football. And striker Nikola Kalinic has left Russia due to a back injury, says coach Zlatko Dalic, but amid reports he refused to come on as a substitute after being left out of the starting line-up. Off-field problems for now though have not affected them and they are expected to field an unchanged team, which also includes Messi's Barcelona teammate Ivan Rakitic. The teams have met only once before in the World Cup, in 1998, when Argentina won 1-0 and were the only team that year to prevent Golden Boot winner Davor Suker from scoring. One other possible omen for Thursday; when Riva racked up his unwanted record in 1970, the Italian legend promptly scored two goals in his next match. Argentina will be hoping for the same from Messi.
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