FIFA WC 2018

Under the governing body, Fédération Internationale de Football Association, or just FIFA, the inaugural football World Cup took place in 1930. Despite the success of the 1908 Summer Olympics when football became an official competition. The first World War meant FIFA's plans had to be pushed back and in 1930, under the presidency of Jules Rimet, 13 teams took part in the first ever World Cup.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup will take place in Russia, with the hosts taking on Saudi Arabia in the opening game on June 14, 2018, at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Defending Champions Germany will open their campaign against Mexico on the 17th, before taking on Sweden and Korea Republic in their remaining fixtures.

Argentina, who lost to Germany in the final four years ago, have been grouped with Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria, as Lionel Messi looks to finally fire his country to glory on the grandest stage of them all.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal will take on Spain, Morocco and Iran in the group phase, in a group that should see the two European nations being dominant.

Iceland, Morocco and Panama will be participating in their first ever FIFA World Cup, while this edition would also be the first in 60 years without the participation of Italy, who lost to Sweden in the qualifying playoff in November.

This will also be the first World Cup in history to make use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), to help the on-field officials arrive at a decision on contentious calls.