Global Information2018 FIFA World Cup information
| Чемпионат мира по футболу FIFA 2018 (Russian) Chempionat mira po futbolu FIFA 2018 | |
|---|---|
 Играй с открытым сердцем (Play with an open heart) | |
| Tournament details | |
| Host country | Russia |
| Dates | 14 June – 15 July |
| Teams | 32 (from 5 confederations) |
| Venue(s) | 12 (in 11 host cities) |
| Final positions | |
| Champions |  France (2nd title) |
| Runners-up |  Croatia |
| Third place |  Belgium |
| Fourth place |  England |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 64 |
| Goals scored | 169 (2.64 per match) |
| Attendance | 3,031,768 (47,371 per match) |
| Top scorer(s) | Harry Kane (6 goals) |
| Best player(s) | Luka Modrić |
| Best young player |  Kylian Mbappé |
| Best goalkeeper | Thibaut Courtois |
| Fair play award |  Spain |
The 2018 FIFA World Cup was the 21st FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial world championship for national football teams organized by FIFA. It took place in Russia from 14 June to 15 July 2018, after the country was awarded the hosting rights in late 2010. It was the eleventh time the championships had been held in Europe, the first time they were held in Eastern Europe, and the first time they were held across two continents (Europe and Asia). At an estimated cost of over $14.2 billion, it was the most expensive World Cup ever held until it was surpassed by the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.[1][2]
The tournament phase involved 32 teams, of which 31 came through qualifying competitions, while the host nation Russia qualified automatically. Of the 32, 20 had also appeared in the 2014 event, while Iceland and Panama each made their debut at the World Cup. 64 matches were played in 12 venues across 11 cities. Germany, the defending champions, were eliminated in the group stage for the first time since 1938. Host nation Russia was eliminated in the quarter-finals. In the final, France played Croatia on 15 July at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. France won the match 4–2, claiming their second World Cup and becoming the fourth consecutive title won by a European team, after Italy in 2006, Spain in 2010, and Germany in 2014.
Croatian player Luka Modrić was voted the tournament's best player, winning the Golden Ball. England's Harry Kane won the Golden Boot as he scored the most goals during the tournament with six. Belgium's Thibaut Courtois won the Golden Glove, awarded to the goalkeeper with the best performance. It has been estimated that more than 3 million people attended games during the tournament.
- ^ Ellyatt, Holly (14 June 2018). "The World Cup will give Russia's economy a boost — just don't expect it to last". CNBC. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
- ^ "The Games That Cost Russia $14 Billion: 9 Wild World Cup Money Stats". The Motley Fool. Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2021.