2018 FIFA World Cup
Russia • June 14 - July 15, 2018
🇫🇷
Champion
32
Teams
64
Matches
169
Goals
2.64
Goals/Match
3,031,768
Attendance
Overview
The 2018 FIFA World Cup was the twenty-first edition held in Russia from June 14 to July 15, 2018. This was the first World Cup held in Eastern Europeand the eleventh time the championships had been held in Europe. The tournament featured 32 teams playing 64 matches across 12 stadiums in 11 cities. At an estimated cost of over $14.2 billion, it was the most expensive World Cup ever held until surpassed by Qatar 2022.
France won their second World Cup title, defeating Croatia 4-2 in the final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. Goals from Mario Mandžukić (own goal), Antoine Griezmann (penalty), Paul Pogba, and Kylian Mbappé secured the victory. France became the fourth consecutive World Cup won by a European team, after Italy in 2006, Spain in 2010, and Germany in 2014. Croatia reached their first-ever World Cup final, marking a historic achievement for the nation.
The tournament introduced VAR (Video Assistant Referee) technology for the first time in World Cup history. A record 29 penalties were awarded, partially attributed to VAR. Harry Kane of England won the Golden Boot with 6 goals. Luka Modrić of Croatia won the Golden Ball as best player. Kylian Mbappé won the Best Young Player award. Defending champions Germany were eliminated in the group stage for the first time since 1938. Host nation Russia reached the quarter-finals before losing to Croatia on penalties. The tournament featured a record 12 own goals and only 4 red cards (fewest since 1978).
Final Standings
Top 8 teams with detailed statistics
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🥇1 | 🇫🇷 France Champion | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 6 | +8 | 19 |
🥈2 | 🇭🇷 Croatia Runner-up | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 9 | +5 | 14 |
🥉3 | 🇧🇪 Belgium Third | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 6 | +10 | 18 |
4 | 🏴 England Fourth | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 8 | +4 | 10 |
5 | 🇺🇾 Uruguay | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 12 |
6 | 🇧🇷 Brazil | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 3 | +5 | 10 |
7 | 🇸🇪 Sweden | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 9 |
8 | 🇷🇺 Russia | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 7 | +4 | 8 |
Legend: Pld = Played, W = Won, D = Drawn, L = Lost, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, GD = Goal Difference, Pts = Points
Note: 32-team format. Showing top 8 finalists.
Golden Boot
Harry Kane
England
Antoine Griezmann
France
Romelu Lukaku
Belgium
Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal
Denis Cheryshev
Russia
Artem Dzyuba
Russia
Edinson Cavani
Uruguay
Kylian Mbappé
France
Diego Costa
Spain
Yerry Mina
Colombia
Semi-finals & Final
France's second World Cup title
Knockout Stage
Semi-finals
Third Place
Final
Stadiums
Krestovsky Stadium
Fisht Olympic Stadium
Kazan Arena
Nizhny Novgorod Stadium
Samara Arena
Key Moments
- France won their second World Cup title
- France defeated Croatia 4-2 in the final
- First World Cup held in Eastern Europe
- First World Cup held in Russia
- VAR (Video Assistant Referee) introduced
- Harry Kane: 6 goals (Golden Boot)
- Luka Modrić: Golden Ball (best player)
- Kylian Mbappé: Best Young Player
- Thibaut Courtois: Golden Glove
- Germany eliminated in group stage (defending champions)
Historic Moments
- France: Second World Cup title
- First World Cup in Eastern Europe
- VAR technology debut
- 12 own goals (record)
- 29 penalties (record)
- Germany out in groups (first since 1938)
- Croatia's first final appearance
- Fourth straight European champion