2018 FIFA World Cup

Lore & Background

The host selection process began in January 2009, with Russia winning the right to host in the second round of voting on 2 December 2010. The choice was controversial due to concerns about racism, human rights abuses, and corruption allegations. FIFA's investigation cleared Russia of wrongdoing, but critics denounced the summary as a whitewash. The tournament cost over $14.2 billion, making it the most expensive World Cup until 2022.

Reader's Guide

The tournament phase involved 32 teams, with 31 coming through qualifying and host Russia qualifying automatically. 20 teams had also appeared in 2014. Iceland and Panama made their World Cup debuts. 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 Russia was eliminated in the quarter-finals.

Did You Know?

• Croatian player Luka Modrić was voted the tournament's best player and awarded the Golden Ball.
• England's Harry Kane won the Golden Boot with six goals.
• Belgium's Thibaut Courtois won the Golden Glove.
• Kylian Mbappé was voted the World Cup Best Young Player and became the second teenager, after Pelé, to score in a World Cup final.
• More than 3 million people attended games during the tournament.