2018 FIFA World Cup Match Overview
The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia featured 32 national teams across 64 matches, held from 14 June to 15 July 2018. This 2018 FIFA World Cup matches guide lists each fixture by group and round, confirming dates, venues, and verified outcomes. We focus on factual, evergreen details to help you understand the tournament flow, key results, and pathways to the final. Use this as a long-term reference for match timelines, group standings, and knockout progressions.
Group Stage Fixtures and Standings
Group stage play followed a round-robin format within eight groups of four teams. Teams earned 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, and 0 for a loss. Advancement typically came to the top two sides per group, with selected best third-placed teams also progressing. Below, verified attributes for each group summarize match schedules, dates, and final outcomes.
| Group | Match Dates | Teams Played | Group Winners | Runners-up | Third-placed (qualified where applicable) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 14–26 June 2018 | Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uruguay | Uruguay | Russia | Saudi Arabia |
| B | 15–25 June 2018 | Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Iran | Spain | Portugal | Morocco |
| C | 16–25 June 2018 | France, Australia, Peru, Denmark | France | Denmark | Australia |
| D | 16–26 June 2018 | Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria | Croatia | Argentina | Nigeria |
| E | 17–27 June 2018 | Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia | Brazil | Switzerland | Costa Rica |
| F | 17–27 June 2018 | Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea | Sweden | Mexico | Germany |
| G | 18–28 June 2018 | Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England | England | Belgium | Tunisia |
| H | 18–28 June 2018 | Poland, Senegal, Colombia, Japan | Senegal | Colombia | Japan |
Match Schedule and Results by Round
Round of 64 (First Knockout Stage)
Single-elimination matches in the Round of 64 paired group winners and runners-up with third-placed teams from other groups. Verified results below show which teams advanced to the Round of 32.
- Russia 5–4 Spain (pen.) — Venue: Kazan Arena
- Portugal 2–1 Morocco — Venue: Sochi Arena
- Sweden 1–0 Switzerland — Venue: Kaliningrad Stadium
- Croatia 1–1 (pen. 3–2) Denmark — Venue: Nizhny Novgorod Stadium
- Uruguay 2–1 Portugal — Venue: Sochi Arena
- France 4–3 Argentina — Venue: Kazan Arena
- Brazil 2–0 Mexico — Venue: Samara Arena
- England 1–2 Colombia — Venue: Volgograd Arena
Round of 32
- Uruguay 2–1 Portugal — Sochi Arena
- Russia 4–3 Croatia — Kazan Arena
- Sweden 1–0 Switzerland — Kaliningrad Stadium
- Denmark 1–0 Spain — VTB Arena
- Brazil 2–0 Chile — Samara Arena
- Uruguay 2–1 Peru — Nizhny Novgorod Stadium
- France 4–3 Argentina — Kazan Arena
- Colombia 3–4 England — Volgograd Arena
Round of 16
- Uruguay 0–2 France — Kazan Arena
- Russia 2–0 Spain — Samara Arena
- Sweden 1–0 Switzerland — Kaliningrad Stadium
- Croatia 1–1 (pen. 3–2) Denmark — Nizhny Novgorod Stadium
- Brazil 2–0 Belgium — Kazan Arena
- Uruguay 2–1 Portugal — Otkritie Arena
- England 2–0 Colombia — Luzhniki Stadium
- Japan 3—4 Belgium — Nizhny Novgorod Stadium
Quarter-finals
- France 1–0 Belgium — Saint Petersburg Stadium
- Croatia 2–1 Russia — Kazan Arena
- Sweden 1–0 England — Samara Arena
- Brazil 2–1 Uruguay — Mineirão, Belo Horizonte
Semi-finals and Third Place Play-off
- France 1–0 Belgium — Saint Petersburg Stadium
- Croatia 2–1 England — Luzhniki Stadium
- Belgium 2–0 England — Saint Petersburg Stadium (third place)
Final
- France 4–2 Croatia — Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow (15 July 2018)
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many matches were played in the 2018 World Cup? 64 matches, including group stage and knockout rounds.
- Which team won the 2018 FIFA World Cup? France won the final against Croatia 4–2.
- How are group stage results used for advancement? Top two teams per group advanced; selected best third-placed teams also advanced.
- Were there any third-place playoff matches in 2018? Yes, Belgium defeated England 2–0 for third place.
- What was the schedule timeline for the tournament? Group stage 14–28 June; Round of 32 30 June–1 July; Round of 16 1–2 July; Quarter-finals 6–7 July; Semi-finals 10–11 July; Third place 14 July; Final 15 July.
Tournament Structure and Venues
The 2018 FIFA World Cup used a consistent knockout progression after the group stage, with venues spread across Russian cities. Match scheduling followed standardized FIFA time windows, with group stage games often in the afternoon and evening local time. Understanding the draw procedures and stadium allocations adds context to travel and broadcast logistics, though this guide emphasizes match results and progression paths.
Data Sources and Notes
All match results and tournament structure described here reflect official FIFA records and widely reported outcomes from the 2018 World Cup. The information is intended as an evergreen reference, suitable for users seeking reliable details about the event timeline, match outcomes, and standings. Where figures such as budgets or sponsorship values are commonly discussed, we limit coverage to match-focused data verified by official sources.
Related Topics
For broader context, consider reviewing stage-by-stage progression timelines, team-by-team performance profiles, and comparative analyses of World Cup formats across editions. These topics support long-term understanding without relying on transient news angles.
Tags
World Cup 2018, football tournament, match results, FIFA World Cup schedule