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. 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.
Andrey Arshavin with Russian bid personnel celebrate the awarding of the 2018 World Cup to Russia on 2 December 2010.
The 100-ruble commemorative banknote celebrates the 2018 FIFA World Cup. It features an image of Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin.
Italian World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro in Moscow at the 2018 World Cup draw
Reconstruction of the Yekaterinburg Central Stadium in January 2017
The FIFA World Cup, often simply called the World Cup, is an international association football competition among the senior men's national teams of the members of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's global governing body. The tournament has been held every four years since the inaugural tournament in 1930, with the exception of 1942 and 1946 due to the Second World War. The reigning champions are Argentina, who won their third title at the 2022 tournament.
FIFA president Jules Rimet convinced the confederations to promote an international football tournament
Inside Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, during a match at the 2010 FIFA World Cup
BC Place in Vancouver hosting a 2015 Women's World Cup match
Jules Rimet trophy, awarded from 1930 to 1970