The 2018 FIFA World Cup kicks off Thursday in Russia, and the month-long tournament will see 32 soccer teams battling it out for the cup. Unfortunately, Canada did not make the cut.
The World Cup, which is the biggest single sporting event in the world, comes once every four years, and it’s the first time Europe will host the game since 2006 in Germany.
The opening day only has one game, but the host Russia will be taking the field against Saudi Arabia in Moscow at 11 a.m. ET. The tournament ends on July 15.
Here are key things to know about the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
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What teams are playing in the World Cup?
There are 32 teams playing in the World Cup.
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
What is the World Cup schedule?
Thursday, June 14
Russia vs. Saudi Arabia: 11 a.m. ET
Friday, June 15
Egypt vs. Uruguay: 8 a.m. ET
Morocco vs. Iran: 11 a.m. ET
Portugal vs. Spain: 2 p.m. ET
Saturday, June 16
France vs. Australia: 6 a.m. ET
Argentina vs. Iceland: 10 a.m. ET
Peru vs. Denmark: 12 p.m. ET
Croatia vs. Nigeria: 3 p.m. ET
Sunday, June 17
Costa Rica vs. Serbia: 8 a.m. ET
Germany vs. Mexico: 11 a.m. ET
Brazil vs. Switzerland: 2 p.m. ET
Monday, June 18
Sweden vs. South Korea: 8 a.m. ET
Belgium vs. Panama: 11 a.m. ET
Tunisia vs. England: 2 p.m. ET
Tuesday, June 19
Poland vs. Senegal: 8 a.m. ET
Colombia vs. Japan: 11 a.m. ET
Russia vs. Egypt: 2 p.m. ET
Wednesday, June 20
Portugal vs. Morocco: 8 a.m. ET
Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia: 11 a.m. ET
Iran vs. Spain: 2 p.m. ET
Thursday, June 21
France vs. Peru: 8 a.m. ET
Denmark vs. Australia: 11 a.m. ET
Argentina vs. Croatia: 2 p.m. ET
Friday, June 22
Brazil vs. Costa Rica: 8 a.m. ET
Nigeria vs. Iceland: 11 a.m. ET
Serbia vs. Switzerland: 2 p.m. ET
Saturday, June 23
Belgium vs. Tunisia: 8 a.m. ET
Germany vs. Sweden: 11 a.m. ET
South Korea vs. Mexico: 2 p.m. ET
Sunday, June 24
England vs. Panama: 8 a.m. ET
Japan vs. Senegal: 11 a.m. ET
Poland vs. Colombia: 2 p.m. ET
Monday, June 25
Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt: 10 a.m. ET
Uruguay vs. Russia: 10 a.m. ET
Iran vs. Portugal: 2 p.m. ET
Spain vs. Morocco: 2 p.m. ET
Tuesday, June 26
Australia vs. Peru: 10 a.m. ET
Denmark vs. France: 10 a.m. ET
Iceland vs. Croatia: 2 p.m. ET
Nigeria vs. Argentina: 2 p.m. ET
Wednesday, June 27
South Korea vs. Germany: 10 a.m. ET
Mexico vs. Sweden: 10 a.m. ET
Switzerland vs. Costa Rica: 2 p.m. ET
Serbia vs. Brazil: 2 p.m. ET
Thursday, June 28
Japan vs. Poland: 10 a.m. ET
Senegal vs. Colombia: 10 a.m. ET
England vs. Belgium: 2 p.m. ET
Panama vs. Tunisia: 2 p.m. ET
After this, the knockout stage begins and the last 16 matches will begin on Saturday, June 30. For a full list of the schedule, click here.
When is the World Cup final?
The final match takes place Sunday, July 15, at 4 p.m. ET at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
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Where are the games taking place in Russia?
There are 12 venues in 11 cities across Russia. Of the 12 stadiums built or renovated for the World Cup, Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow and the Saint Petersburg Stadium will be used the most.
What happened during the last World Cup again?
Germany beat Argentina 1-0 in the final in Rio de Janeiro.
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Who are the team favourites?
Germany, Brazil, Spain, France, Argentina, Portugal and Belgium are some of the teams predicted to dominate the tournament. However, there are some popular underdogs during this cup, such as Iceland and Peru.