Russia FIFA World Cup 2018™ – The Ultimate Guide to Action, Drama, & Excitement
Be There with Rehlat!
Are you a football fan and with bated breath waiting for the Russia FIFA World Cup 2018™ to begin? Then, this one is for you.
The biggest sporting action, the Russia FIFA World Cup 2018™ – is just few days away. 32 teams, 64 matches, 12 venues; all taking place in one country, Russia! In fact, this is one of the most awaited and electrifying sporting events that occurs once every four years. The opening match is scheduled to happen in the Russian capital of Moscow. The country has selected 11 host cities to be the venues for the matches of the Russia FIFA World Cup 2018™ and they are
- Moscow
- St. Petersburg
- Sochi
- Kazan
- Saransk
- Kaliningrad
- Volgograd
- Rostov-on-Don
- Nizhny Novgorod
- Yekaterinburg
- Samara
Here’s everything you need to know about Russia FIFA World Cup 2018™. Read on and plan your Russia itinerary right away.
When the Russia FIFA World Cup 2018™ would start?
The most awaited Russia FIFA World Cup 2018™ finals will commence on June 14th 2018.
When is The Grand Finale?
Amidst massive fan frenzy, Russia FIFA World Cup 2018™ grand finale will take place on July 15, Sunday at the Luzhniki Stadium at 4 PM.
Russia FIFA World Cup 2018™ Match Schedule
Russia FIFA World Cup 2018™ in Brazil involved a few late nights for European-based fans, so in a welcome move for Three Lions supporters and humble live bloggers, kick-off times in Russia are more social able this year.
Here we have listed down the complete match schedules, timings, stadium names, and TV listings.
THURSDAY, JUNE 14
Russia vs. Saudi Arabia | 11 a.m. ET | Moscow | Fox |
FRIDAY, JUNE 15
Egypt vs. Uruguay | 8 a.m. ET | Yekaterinburg | FS1 |
Morocco vs. Iran | 11 a.m. ET | Saint Petersburg | Fox |
Portugal vs. Spain | 2 p.m. ET | Sochi | Fox |
SATURDAY, JUNE 16
France vs. Australia | 6 a.m. ET | Kazan | FS1 |
Argentina vs. Iceland | 10 a.m. ET | Moscow | Fox |
Peru vs. Denmark | 12 p.m. ET | Saransk | FS1 |
Croatia vs. Nigeria | 3 p.m. ET | Kaliningrad | FS1 |
SUNDAY, JUNE 17
Costa Rica vs. Serbia | 8 a.m. ET | Samara | Fox |
Germany vs. Mexico | 11 a.m. ET | Moscow | FS1 |
Brazil vs. Switzerland | 2 p.m. ET | Rostov | FS1 |
MONDAY, JUNE 18
Sweden vs. South Korea | 8 a.m. ET | Nizhny Novgorod | FS1 |
Belgium vs. Panama | 11 a.m. ET | Sochi | FS1 |
Tunisia vs. England | 2 p.m. ET | Volgograd | FS1 |
TUESDAY, JUNE 19
Poland vs. Senegal | 8 a.m. ET | Moscow | FS1 |
Colombia vs. Japan | 11 a.m. ET | Saransk | Fox |
Russia vs. Egypt | 2 p.m. ET | Saint Petersburg | Fox |
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20
Portugal vs. Morocco | 8 a.m. ET | Moscow | FS1 |
Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia | 11 a.m. ET | Rostov | Fox |
Iran vs. Spain | 2 p.m. ET | Kazan | Fox |
THURSDAY, JUNE 21
France vs. Peru | 8 a.m. ET | Yekaterinburg | FS1 |
Denmark vs. Australia | 11 a.m. ET | Samara | Fox |
Argentina vs. Croatia | 2 p.m. ET | Nizhny Novgorod | Fox |
FRIDAY, JUNE 22
Brazil vs. Costa Rica | 8 a.m. ET | Saint Petersburg | FS1 |
Nigeria vs. Iceland | 11 a.m. ET | Volgograd | Fox |
Serbia vs. Switzerland | 2 p.m. ET | Kaliningrad | Fox |
SATURDAY, JUNE 23
Belgium vs. Tunisia | 8 a.m. ET | Moscow | Fox |
Germany vs. Sweden | 11 a.m. ET | Sochi | Fox |
South Korea vs. Mexico | 2 p.m. ET | Rostov | Fox |
SUNDAY, JUNE 24
England vs. Panama | 8 a.m. ET | Nizhny Novgorod | FS1 |
Japan vs. Senegal | 11 a.m. ET | Yekaterinburg | Fox |
Poland vs. Colombia | 2 p.m. ET | Kazan | Fox |
MONDAY, JUNE 25
Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt | 10 a.m. ET | Volgograd | Fox/FS1 |
Uruguay vs. Russia | 10 a.m. ET | Samara | Fox/FS1 |
Iran vs. Portugal | 2 p.m. ET | Saransk | Fox/FS1 |
Spain vs. Morocco | 2 p.m. ET | Kaliningrad | Fox/FS1 |
TUESDAY, JUNE 26
Australia vs. Peru | 10 a.m. ET | Sochi | Fox/FS1 |
Denmark vs. France | 10 a.m. ET | Moscow | Fox/FS1 |
Iceland vs. Croatia | 2 p.m. ET | Rostov | Fox/FS1 |
Nigeria vs. Argentina | 2 p.m. ET | Saint Petersburg | Fox/FS1 |
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27
South Korea vs. Germany | 10 a.m. ET | Kazan | Fox/FS1 |
Mexico vs. Sweden | 10 a.m. ET | Yekaterinburg | Fox/FS1 |
Switzerland vs. Costa Rica | 2 p.m. ET | Nizhny Novgorod | Fox/FS1 |
Serbia vs. Brazil | 2 p.m. ET | Saint Petersburg | Fox/FS1 |
THURSDAY, JUNE 28
Japan vs. Poland | 10 a.m. ET | Volgograd | Fox/FS1 |
Senegal vs. Colombia | 10 a.m. ET | Samara | Fox/FS1 |
England vs. Belgium | 2 p.m. ET | Kaliningrad | Fox/FS1 |
Panama vs. Tunisia | 2 p.m. ET | Saransk | Fox/FS1 |
SATURDAY, JUNE 30
Round of 16: Match 50: Group C winner vs. Group D runner-up | 10 a.m. ET | Kazan | Fox/FS1 |
Round of 16: Match 49: Group A winner vs. Group B runner-up | 2 p.m. ET | Sochi | Fox/FS1 |
SUNDAY, JULY 1
Round of 16: Match 51: Group B winner vs. Group A runner-up | 10 a.m. ET | Moscow | Fox/FS1 |
Round of 16: Match 52: Group D winner vs. Group C runner-up | 2 p.m. ET | Nizhny Novgorod | Fox/FS1 |
MONDAY, JULY 2
Round of 16: Match 53: Group E winner vs. Group F runner-up | 10 a.m. ET | Samara | Fox/FS1 |
Round of 16: Match 54: Group G winner vs. Group H runner-up | 2 p.m. ET | Rostov | Fox/FS1 |
TUESDAY, JULY 3
Round of 16: Match 55: (Group F winner vs. Group E runner-up) | 10 a.m. ET | Saint Petersburg | Fox/FS1 |
Round of 16: Match 56 (Group H winner vs. Group G runner-up) | 2 p.m. ET | Rostov | Fox/FS1 |
FRIDAY, JULY 6
Quarterfinal: Match 57: (Match 49 winner vs. Match 50 winner) | 10 a.m. ET | Nizhny Novgorod | FS1 |
Quarterfinal: Match 58: (Match 53 winner vs. Match 54 winner) | 2 p.m. ET | Kazan | FS1 |
SATURDAY, JULY 7
Quarterfinal: Match 60 (Match 55 winner vs. Match 66 winner) | 10 a.m. ET | Samara | Fox |
Quarterfinal: Match 59 (Match 51 winner vs. Match 52 winner) | 2 p.m. ET | Sochi | Fox |
TUESDAY, JULY 10
Semifinal: Match 61 (Match 57 winner vs. Match 58 winner) | 2 p.m. ET | Saint Petersburg | Fox |
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11
Semifinal: Match 62 (Match 59 winner vs. Match 60 winner) | 2 p.m. ET | Moscow | Fox |
SATURDAY, JULY 14
Third-place match: Match 63 (Match 61 loser vs. Match 62 loser) | 10 a.m. ET | Saint Petersburg | Fox |
SUNDAY, JULY 15
Final: Match 64 (Match 61 winner vs. Match 62 winner) | 11 a.m. ET | Moscow | Fox |
Here’s a detailed guide about the host cities, stadiums, respective game fixtures, and attractions nearby the stadium.
Moscow
The Russia FIFA World Cup 2018™ is all set to kick off in Russia’s capital city – Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. The Spartak Stadium in Moscow will also held four group stage matches and one of the Round 16 games. The spectators can experience the arena’s electric atmosphere during the semi-final and much-anticipated final of the tournament.
Attractions nearby Luzhniki Stadium:
- Saint Basil’s Cathedral
- Lenin’s Mausoleum
- Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow
- Kremlin Armoury
- Moscow Kremlin
Saint Petersburg
A new state-of-the-art stadium is being built on Krestovsky Island in Saint Petersburg in honor of the tournament. Football fans will pack into the ultra-modern stadium to witness four group stage matches, as well as one of the adrenaline-pumping semi-finals.
Attractions nearby Krestovsky Stadium:
- Hermitage Museum
- Winter Palace
- Peterhof Palace
- Church of the Savior on Blood
- Peter and Paul Fortress
- Saint Isaac’s Cathedral
Kaliningrad
Kaliningrad Stadium will entertain football lovers from all over the world with four group stage matches. Bag tickets for one of the matches in Kaliningrad and enjoy the charm of the beautiful city.
Attractions nearby Kaliningrad Stadium:
- Kaliningrad Regional Amber Museum
- Königsberg Cathedral
- Königsberg Castle
- Muzey Mirovogo Okeana
- Kaliningrad Zoo
Nizhny Novgorod
Head to Nizhny Novgorod, just a few hours from Moscow, to enjoy a number of group matches, a Round 16 game and one of the quarter-finals at the city’s stadium.
Attractions nearby the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium:
- Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin
- Park Shveytsariya
- Limpopo
- Nizhny Novgorod Cableway
- Nizhny Novgorod State Art Museum
Kazan
Make your way to Kazan Arena to enjoy one of the tournament’s quarter-final matches, as well as four group stage games.
Attractions nearby Kazan Arena:
- Kazan Kremlin
- Qolşärif Mosque
- Chornoye Ozero
- Tsentral’nyy Park Kul’tury I Otdykha Imeni Gor’kogo
- Millennium Park of Kazan
Yekaterinburg
A number of all-important group matches will be played at Yekaterinburg Arena throughout June. If you’ve already booked the flight tickets, then plan how to spend your valuable time in this dynamic Russian city.
Attractions nearby Central Stadium Yekaterinburg Stadium:
- Church of All Saints, Yekaterinburg
- Historic Square
- Boris Yeltsin Presidential Center
- Yekaterinburg Zoo
- Yekaterinburg Museum of Fine Arts
Saransk
Make your way to Saransk to watch one of the group matches being played at Mordovia Arena. This city in central Russia is bursting with charm, perfect for a short sporting break.
Attractions nearby Mordovia Arena:
- Gorodskoy park kultury i otdykha
- Cathedral of St. Theodore Ushakov
- Ioanno-Bogoslovskiy Kafedral’nyy Sobor
- Ploshchad’ Tysyacheletiya
- Memorial’nyy Muzey Voyennogo I Trudovogo Podviga 1941-1945
Samara
Samara Arena will be entertaining the crowds throughout the group stages of the tournament, as well the quarter final. If you can make yourself away from the sporting festivities, make sure to spend your time exploring this lively port city.
Attractions nearby Cosmos Arena:
- Samarskaya Luka National Park
- Samara embankment
- Stalin’s bunker
- Yuri Gagarin Park
- Samara Zagorodnyy Park
Volgograd
Football fan and history lover? You’re in the right place. Experience the fun of the group stage matches at the newly built Volgograd Arena.
Attractions nearby the Volgograd Arena:
- Mamayev Kurgan
- The Motherland Calls
- Pavlov’s House
- Muzey-Zapovednik “Staraya Sarepta”
- Hall of Military Glory
Sochi
Sochi’s Fisht Olympic Stadium will be home to four group stage matches and one of the tournament’s quarter-finals. Maximize your time in Sochi and explore the treasures of this attractive Black Sea resort.
Attractions nearby the Fisht Olympic Stadium:
- Dolphinarium “Riviera”
- Marine Station
- Tiso-Samshitovaya Roshcha
- Orlinyye Skaly
- Friendship Tree
Rostov-on-Don
Join in the fun and energetic aura at Rostov Arena throughout the group stages of the tournament, as well as one of the Round 16 games. When you’re not cheering on your favorite team, discover the cosmopolitan city of Rostov-on-Don.
Attractions nearby the Rostov Arena:
- Rostovskiy Zoopark
- Gorky Park
- Park Im. Oktyabr’skoy Revolyutsii
- H2O
- Botanical Garden of the SFU
All the host cities are well connected with regular flights to Moscow and to major cities across the world.
How to Obtain the Russia Visit Visa for Russia FIFA World Cup 2018™?
Russia made several tweaks and relaxed the visa policy for the Russia FIFA World Cup 2018™. Only an official identity document known as a FAN ID would be required along with valid Passport. The FAN ID would be issued by the Russian authorities free of cost.
How to Apply for Russia Fan-ID for Russia FIFA World Cup 2018™?
If you have an official match ticket then only you can apply for Fan-ID. This replaces the need to apply for a visa. Apply for your Fan-ID as soon as you receive your match ticket and make sure it covers the duration of your intended stay in Russia.
If your Fan-ID is stolen or lost, then you can get a duplicate from Fan-ID distribution centers located across the country or from your local embassy.
Note: From June 4 to July 25, 2018, all the Fan-ID holders are permitted to stay on the territory of the Russian Federation.
How to get the Russia FIFA World Cup 2018™ match tickets?
All Tickets will be allocated to Ticket Applicants on a First Come First Served basis; therefore, it is highly advised to place your ticket applications order online and as soon as the sales period opens.
Match tickets allocated by FIFA during Sales Phase (1) and Sales Phase (2) will be delivered by courier to your address, with the exception of the situations that are listed in the Ticket Sales Regulations. FIFA authorities will begin ticket deliveries in April/May 2018.
If you purchase Match Tickets during the Last Minute Sales Period, then your Tickets will be made available for collection at the Ticket Collection Locations, starting from 18 April until the final Match day.
Getting around during Russia FIFA World Cup 2018™
During the game days, the host cities will have free transport to and from airports as well as free public transit. And spectators can make use of free transport between tournament host cities.
Additional trains will travel between host cities during the Russia FIFA World Cup 2018™. More than 700 additional trains will transport spectators between 11 host cities.
Things to Know About Free Transportation
- The right to free transport is offered on First Come First Served basis.
- Spectators without a match ticket to the game cannot make use of the right for free transportation via additional train.
- Only Match Ticket and FAN ID holders will be allowed to board additional free trains.
- Free transport Registration stops 24 hours before the departure of the additional train.
What to eat and drink In Russia?
Your taste buds are sure to be delighted in Russia! The food here is simple yet delicious. Try These Russian specialties:
Solyanka: It’s a Russian soup stew, which is made either of meat, fish, or mushroom with finely cut pickles, onions, herbs and spices all mixed with sour cream in a pot. Solyanka is available in all restaurants and eateries.
Caviar: Both black and red salmon caviar are a must try. Caviar is available at supermarkets and restaurants across Russia.
Kvass: A fermented drink made of bread or rye that contains malt. In summers, rusty trucks drive around selling these in cups for petty change.
Things you should not do during the Russia FIFA World Cup 2018™
- Don’t trust anyone blindly
- Take care of your belongings
- Don’t overlook or argue with the elderly in public
- No photography of government buildings
- Stop when done by the police. Carry a photocopy of your passport, visa and registration, and present them when an officer demands to see your documents.
Russia is Ready, Are You?
I WANT TO JOIN THE WORLD CUP IN RUSSIA TO WATCH THE FIRST THREE MATCHES OF EGYPTIAN TEAM .
DO YOU HAVE OFFER FOR TRAVELLING AND THE TICKETS ?
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