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All you need to know about FIFA World Cup draw

As FIFA World Cup 2018 draw for groups has been finalised, let’s have a quick view at the Friday’s draw in Moscow.
Hamza Khan 02 Dec, 2017

As FIFA World Cup 2018 draw for groups has been finalised, let’s have a quick view at the Friday’s draw in Moscow.

The tournament, which spans over 11 cities and 12 stadiums, kicks-off when host nation Russia take on Saudi Arabia on June 14 in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium that will also host the final on July 15 next year.

The European champions Portugal lock horns with Spain in the standout fixture of the 2018 World Cup group stage, while England were handed an encounter with a dangerous Belgium side in the draw.

Spain´s match against Portugal is a mouthwatering early clash, though, with the fixture set for the Black Sea resort of Sochi on June 15.

Meanwhile, reigning world champions Germany, the much-fancied Brazil of Neymar, and France will all be pleased with their draws, but the prospects appear tougher for Argentina.

They will come up against Croatia, Nigeria and tournament debutants Iceland, as Lionel Messi looks to make up for losing the 2014 final to Germany.

Germany were paired with Mexico, Sweden and South Korea in Group F as Joachim Loew´s men try to become the first nation to retain the title since Brazil in 1962.

Five-time winners Brazil, eager to exorcise the demons of 2014 and their 7-1 semi-final humiliation against Germany, drew Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia in Group E.

It has been said before that France coach Didier Deschamps has a lucky star over his head when it comes to these draws, and his side will be confident of emerging from Group C ahead of Australia, Peru and Denmark.

England begin against Tunisia in Volgograd on June 18. Japan will face a tough task to finish in the top two of Group H that features Robert Lewandowski´s Poland, Sadio Mane´s Senegal and Colombia.

The ceremony was staged inside the State Kremlin Palace, where Communist Party Congresses were held during the Soviet era. President Putin said Russia had a 'strong affection' for football. "Our country is looking forward to the championship and intends to hold it at the highest level," Putin said in a press conference.

The build-up to the tournament has been somewhat overshadowed by the controversy that surrounded the awarding of the tournament to Russia and by fears of terrorism and hooliganism, as well as of Putin´s relations with the West.

"If you would have a serious doping issue in football this would be known by now, whether in Russia or any other country of the world," he said.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017

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