The 2018 FIFA World Cup kicks off in less than a week. Host nation Russia will play Saudi Arabia to begin the tournament in Moscow on Thursday, heralding a month of the best soccer on the planet. Learn more about the host country and the teams competing for the title.
Russia
Capital: Moscow | Population: 145,000,000 | Venues: 12
The World Cup returns to Europe for the first time since 2006. In preparation for the tournament, Russia has built nine brand new stadiums and renovated three more for 12 venues in 11 cities, two of them in Moscow.