Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images The highly anticipated 2018 FIFA World Cup is nearly here, kicking off a full month of thrilling soccer action between 32 nations. Russia is the site for this edition of the world’s most watched sporting event, a tournament that reached 3.2 billion viewers around the globe in 2014 and could see even more tune in this year.
Although there will be some notable absences, such as the United States, Holland and Italy, there will be absolutely no shortage of excitement or talent on the pitch over the next four weeks. Fans won’t want to miss a single minute of this riveting World Cup, but it can be tough to keep track of when all the matches are taking place. Don’t fret, as you can find a complete viewing guide for the tournament below. It includes the full list of teams, groups and bracket, plus a game-by-game schedule with start times, TV channels, live stream sites, odds and more. You can also check out a quick rundown of the 2018 FIFA World Cup favorites, star players and underdogs, as well as pro predictions on which team will outlast the competition to win it all this year. All World Cup odds courtesy of 2018 FIFA World Cup – Odds To Win. Country Odds Brazil +400 Germany +405 Spain +600 France +600 Argentina +850 Belgium +900 England +1615 Portugal +2350 Uruguay +2850 Croatia +3000 Colombia +3500 Russia +5000 Poland +7500 Denmark +9000 Switzerland +10500 Mexico +11000 Egypt +11500 Peru +13500 Sweden +18000 Serbia +18000 Nigeria +23000 Senegal +24550 Iceland +25000 Costa Rica +34000 Australia +34550 Japan +35000 Morocco +40250 South Korea +45000 Saudi Arabia +45000 Iran +52500 Panama +55000 Tunisia + FIFA World Cup Groups. Matchup Group Time (ET) TV Odds Thursday, June 14 Russia vs.
Saudi Arabia Group A 11 a.m. FOX RUS -225, KSA +750 Friday, June 15 Egypt vs.
Uruguay Group A 8 a.m. FS1 URU -165, EGY +550 Morocco vs. Iran Group B 11 a.m. FOX MAR +125, IRN +275 Portugal vs. Spain Group B 2 p.m. FOX ESP -110, POR +345 Saturday, June 16 France vs. Australia Group C 6 a.m. FS1 FRA -400, AUS +1300 Argentina vs. Iceland Group D 9 a.m. FOX ARG -285, ISL +950 Peru vs. Denmark Group C 12 p.m.
FS1 DEN +135, PER +220 Croatia vs. Nigeria Group D 3 p.m. FS1 CRO -145, NGA +450 Sunday, June 17 Costa Rica vs. Serbia Group E 8 a.m. FOX SRB -115, CRC +370 Germany vs. Mexico Group F 11 a.m.
FS1 GER -205, MEX -205 Brazil vs. Switzerland Group E 2 p.m. FS1 BRA -245, SUI +700 Monday, June 18 Sweden vs. South Korea Group F 8 a.m. FS1 SWE +105, KOR +300 Belgium vs. Panama Group G 11 a.m. FS1 BEL -575, PAN +2000 Tunisia vs. England Group G 2 p.m. FS1 ENG -240, TUN +800 Tuesday, June 19 Colombia vs. Japan Group H 8 a.m.
FS1 COL -150, JPN +475 Poland vs. Senegal Group H 11 a.m. FOX POL +130, SEN +225 Russia vs. Egypt Group A 2 p.m.
FOX RUS +105, EGY +290 Wednesday, June 20 Portugal vs. Morocco Group B 8 a.m. FS1 POR -155, MAR +475 Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia Group A 11 a.m.
FOX URU -450, KSA +1400 Iran vs. Spain Group B 2 p.m. FOX ESP -475, IRN +1600 Thursday, June 21 Denmark vs. Australia Group C 8 a.m. FS1 DEN -150, AUS +450 France vs. Peru Group C 11 a.m. FOX FRA -230, PER +650 Argentina vs. Croatia Group D 2 p.m.
FOX ARG -105, CRO +310 Friday, June 22 Brazil vs. Costa Rica Group E 8 a.m. FS1 BRA -500, CRC +1600 Nigeria vs. Iceland Group D 11 a.m. FOX NGA +155, ISL +200 Serbia vs. Switzerland Group E 2 p.m.
FOX SUI +155, SRB +205 Saturday, June 23 Belgium vs. Tunisia Group G 8 a.m. FOX BEL -305, TUN +850 South Korea vs. Mexico Group F 11 a.m. FOX MEX -125, KOR +380 Germany vs. Sweden Group F 2 p.m. FOX GER -235, SWE +700 Sunday, June 24 England vs. Panama Group G 8 a.m. FS1 ENG -450, PAN +1400 Japan vs. Senegal Group H 11 a.m. FOX SEN +115, JPN +265 Poland vs. Colombia Group H 2 p.m. FOX COL +125, POL +240 Monday, June 25 Uruguay vs. Russia Group A 10 a.m.
FOX URU +125, RUS +245 Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt Group A 10 a.m. FS1 EGY -135, KSA +400 Spain vs. Morocco Group B 2 p.m. FS1 ESP -265, MAR +850 Iran vs. Portugal Group B 2 p.m. FOX POR -265, IRN +800 Tuesday, June 26 Denmark vs. France Group C 10 a.m. FOX FRA -155, DEN +450 Australia vs. Peru Group C 10 a.m.
FS1 PER +110, AUS +270 Nigeria vs. Argentina Group D 2 p.m. FOX ARG -220, NGA +600 Iceland vs. Croatia Group D 2 p.m. FS1 CRO -125, ISL +385 Wednesday, June 27 South Korea vs. Germany Group F 10 a.m. FS1 GER -350, KOR +1000 Mexico vs. Sweden Group F 10 a.m. FOX MEX +150, SWE +200 Serbia vs. Brazil Group E 2 p.m. FOX BRA -270, SRB +800 Switzerland vs. Costa Rica Group E 2 p.m.
FS1 SUI -115, CRC +355 Thursday, June 28 Japan vs. Poland Group H 10 a.m. FS1 POL -115, JPN +335 Senegal vs. Colombia Group H 10 a.m. FOX COL +100, SNG +300 England vs. Belgium Group G 2 p.m. FOX BEL +145, ENG +195 Panama vs. Tunisia Group G 2 p.m. FS1 TUN +115, PAN +270 All World Cup matches can be live streamed via 2018 FIFA World Cup Knockout Stage Schedule And Matchups. Match # Matchup Time (ET) Round of 16 Saturday, June 30 50 Group C winner vs.
Fifa World Cup Game Schedule Pdf
Group D runner-up 10 a.m. 49 Group A winner vs. Group B runner-up 2 p.m. Sunday, July 1 51 Group B winner vs. Group A runner-up 10 a.m. 52 Group D winner vs.
Group C runner-up 2 p.m. Monday, July 2 53 Group E winner vs. Group F runner-up 10 a.m. 54 Group G winner vs. Group H runner-up 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 3 55 Group F winner vs. Group E runner-up 10 a.m.
56 Group H winner vs. Group G runner-up 2 p.m. Quarterfinals Friday, July 6 57 49 Winner vs. 50 Winner 10 a.m. 58 53 Winner vs. 54 Winner 2 p.m.
Saturday, July 7 60 55 Winner vs. 56 Winner 10 a.m. 59 51 Winner vs. 52 Winner 2 p.m. Semifinals Tuesday, July 10 61 57 Winner vs. 58 Winner 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 11 62 59 Winner vs.
60 Winner 2 p.m. Third Place Play-off Saturday, July 14 63 61 Loser vs. 62 Loser 10 a.m. Final Sunday, July 15 64 61 Winner vs. 62 Winner 3 p.m.
2018 FIFA World Cup Betting Breakdown The Favorites Oddsmakers believe that Brazil is the side to beat in 2018, opening the squad as the favorite to bring home a title for a record-extending sixth time. The Brazilians are currently +400 chalk, meaning bettors would return $4 for every $1 risked should they win.
The Selecao will be playing with a chip on their shoulder as they seek to avenge their heartbreaking exit from the 2014 World Cup. As the host nation, Brazil was stunned in a 7-1 loss in the semifinals to eventual champion Germany. With star player Neymar looking fully recovered from a foot injury that threatened his chances of participating in this tournament, the Brazilians should have little resistance waltzing through a Group E field that includes Switzerland —the team Brazil will start its run against on Sunday —as well as Costa Rica and Serbia. With expectations higher than ever, the Brazilians should and will be disappointed with any result other than bringing back a trophy from Russia. Noted that Gabriel Jesus, Neymar and Coutinho all scored in Brazil’s last tune-up before Russia: stars Gabriel Jesus, Neymar and Philippe Coutinho score the goals as Brazil defeat Austria 3-0 in their final friendly before the FIFA World Cup.
Which players will make the biggest splash in Russia? — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) As for the aforementioned Germans, there may be no more skilled and experienced squad in this year’s field. The 2014 Cup winners are aiming to become the first back-to-back World Cup champions since Brazil won consecutively in 1958 and 1962. According to sportsbooks, Die Nationalmannschaft’s chances of doing so are just a hair behind Brazil’s, as the team opened at +405 to repeat as victors. The side returned many of its key players from four years ago—including standouts such as midfielder Tony Kroos, keeper Manuel Neuer—and sports a promising group of youthful talent to boot.
None is more notable than Timo Werner, the 22-year-old forward that is poised to shine on the grand stage. If Germany’s young players can stay composed, this is going to be arguably the most difficult nation in the field to defeat. German coach Joachim Low says that his squad has a target on it’s back but remains focused on winning another title (via the ). If you are world champion, Confederations Cup winner and number three in the world for three or four years, then you will be especially hunted. Every team wants to overthrow the defending championTo be world champion once again means a lot to me, of course. That would be something historical. But I also feel some humility over the seriousness of the task.
Everything has to be right to win a title, and at a certain point other factors will play their part as well, because the teams are similar in their quality. Little things can have a huge effect. Is giving the Germans the second best shot at winning the World Cup with a better than 10% chance: 13.2% – Based on our World Cup predictor, Opta give Brazil the highest chance of winning the 2018 World Cup (13.2%), followed by Germany (10.7%) & Argentina (10.1%).
For more info on the how the Opta Predictor is calculated, click here: — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) The Stars While both Brazil and Germany are stacked with stars, the best player of the 2018 World Cup is likely to hail from Argentina. Lionel Messi opened as oddsmakers’ top choice to claim both the coveted Golden Boot as the tournament’s leading goal scorer, as well as defend his Golden Ball award that he earned as the 2014 World Cup’s best overall player. Messi would surely pass up both individual honors to bring Argentina its first World Cup victory since 1986, but the Group D squad has its work cut out for them. The Argentinians are currently getting +850 odds to win the trophy, meaning that they have the fifth-best shot according to the sportsbooks, which placed them behind Brazil, Germany, France (+600) and Spain (+600). This group is capable of pushing back into the championship game and even win it this year, but will need to support Messi with great play across the pitch for this to happen. Messi stated that criticism from his country’s media will impact his national team future after this World Cup (via ): I don’t know. It will depend how we do, how it ends. The fact we’ve lost three finals now has led to some complicated moments with the Argentine press due to the differences in seeing what it means to reach a final. It is not easy and reaching three finals has to be appreciated.
It’s true that winning them is important, but getting there is not easy. Found that Messi is now the highest paid soccer player in the world: Lionel Messi tops Cristiano Ronaldo as the highest-paid soccer player in the world — Forbes (@Forbes) The other big name to watch in Russia will be Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese superstar was instrumental in guiding his side to an improbable title at Euro 2016 and will need to step up once again if the Selecao das Quinas are to overcome their +2350 odds of winning. Ronaldo is coming off a Champions League victory with Real Madrid at the club level, but despite his trophies and prowess, has struggled to perform to his standards in this international event. The 33-year-old has 13 World Cup caps, but has only scored three total goals since his first appearance in 2006. Ronaldo will need to find a way to finish more consistently if his side is going to advance past the Round of 16, something it has only accomplished one other time since a country-best third-place showing at the 1966 World Cup. Portugal certainly won’t have it easy in Group B and will face perhaps it’s toughest test of the entire tourney right out of the gate, taking on Spain—a veteran squad with a handful of 2010 World Cup champs still on the roster—in the opener on Friday.
Tweeted a quote from Ronaldo discussing Egyptian striker Mo Salah, the Liverpool sensation that the Portuguese forward feels could rival him as one of the best: Ronaldo: “Mo Salah has been one of the revelations of the year. I hope his injury in the final in Kiev doesn’t keep him out. Many people talk about the Cristiano Ronaldo-Messi battle but there are other players who have chances to enter the race. The Egyptian is one of them.” — DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) The Underdogs Due to the absence of the USA, many domestic fans will be looking for a new team to support for the next month. There are a handful of scrappy underdog squads in the field this year, perhaps none more likable and exciting than Iceland. The country, the smallest to ever clinch a World Cup berth, is one of two nations making its debut in Russia—Panama is the other first-timer in 2018—but has a lot of momentum coming into this event and could make some serious noise. The Strakarnir Okkar put themselves on the map with a run to the quarterfinals at Euro 2016, besting a heavily favored England squad to reach that point.
These giant slayers now find themselves in Group D, also known as the “Group of Death”, where they will once again seek to shock the world. They can start by besting Messi’s Argentina squad in their opener on Saturday.
There’s a decent chance that they can still advance even with a loss in this contest, as they have a good shot at defeating Nigeria and aren’t that heavy of an underdog against Croatia. Despite their +25000 odds, Iceland could be quite a competitive side and won’t be a pleasant draw if they manage to make the knockout rounds. Iceland center back Ragnar Sigurdsson said his team has a plan to shut down Messi and the rest of the Argentinians (via ): It’s football, anything can happen we know it will be complicated, but we are confident in being able to continue taking the steps we took in recent years, we know that Argentina are one of the best teams in the World Cup, but we will see. It’s exciting to play against Messi, I never faced him and I do not know if anyone on the team ever did, but it’s not just him, Argentina has many good players. We have to prepare for anything. We all know he’s the best in the world, when we have the ball we’ll have to be more focused and be more careful than ever, but we’re 11, we’ll have to play as a team. Found that Iceland’s coach used to be a dentist: There’s no professional soccer league in Iceland. Their coach used to be a dentist.
And they’re the World Cup’s most exciting underdog. — Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) Another unheralded country to keep an eye on is Poland. While the team’s odds to win (+7500) aren’t as long as some of the others in the field, there isn’t much fanfare around the Bialo-Czerwoni. This squad hasn’t made a World Cup since 2006, but has a legitimate weapon in veteran striker Robert Lewandowski. The Bayern Munich star was an absolute force during qualification, racking up 16 goals to secure a spot in the field. He’s left a lot to be desired during his Euro campaigns, but Lewandowski—now 29 years old—must be keenly aware that there aren’t many opportunities left to make an impact for his home country.
He’s surrounded by hardworking, tough teammates that can clamp down defensively and gum up the offensive production of the opposition. Poland’s games may not be the prettiest or most exciting, but Lewandowski’s brilliance alone makes the country worth watching this month. Thinks that Colombia is another great longshot bet at 35-1: Needed a World Cup team b/c USA crapped the bed so I bet on Colombia at 35-1. Also got a complimentary ticket on the James Rodriguez bandwagon.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) 2018 FIFA World Cup Pro Picks Courtesy of Jon Price of To Win: Brazil (+400) Value: Belgium (+900) Dark Horse: Poland (+7500) Long Shot: Iceland (+25000) RECOMMENDED BY FORBES.
The group stages of 2018 FIFA World Cup has concluded and we have our last 16 teams who will play 8 knockout ties in the Round of 16 starting from 30th June 2018. There will be two knockout ties each day from 30th June to 03 July 2018 and than we move to the quarterfinals which will be played on 6th and 7th July 2018 followed by Semifinals on 10th & 11th July. The third place playoff will take place on 14th July and the big final on 15th July 2018.