By Monalisha Mallick
● 25 May 18
Europe
Travel Tips
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
Here’s everything you need to know about Russia FIFA World Cup 2018™. Read on and plan your Russia itinerary right away.
The most awaited Russia FIFA World Cup 2018™ finals will commence on June 14th 2018.
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™ 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.
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
All the host cities are well connected with regular flights to Moscow and to major cities across the world.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Russia is Ready, Are You?
Monalisha Mallick
Creative soul. Writer. Traveler. Monalisha is infinitely curious about the world. When not answering questions about her career choice (graduation in Engineering and profession in writing), she enjoys going out to experience new places, savor fresh cuisines, meet people (many time weird) and soak in the culture from different eras and places.
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