When is the World Cup final?

The 2018 World Cup final is on Sunday, July 15 and will be played at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia.

The World Cup kicks off on June 14 when Russia face Saudi Arabia at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. On July 15, the tournament will conclude where it began as the final will also be held at Luzhniki Stadium. To advance to the World Cup final, both teams will have to get out of the group stage and win three knockout stage games.

Russia are hoping they experience some of the same success previous hosts have had in the World Cup. The host nation has won the tournament on six occasions. However, the hosts have not won the tournament since France in 1998. While Brazil and Sweden advanced to the final as hosts but lost.

In the 2014 World Cup final, Germany defeated Argentina to win their fourth World Cup. No team has played in more World Cup finals than Germany who have appeared in eight, winning four and losing four. Brazil have won the most World Cups, winning five times, most recently in 2002. Italy and Germany have each won four times. Argentina and Uruguay have both won twice, while England, France and Spain have won once. The Netherlands have appeared in the most finals without winning. The Flying Dutchman have lost in the final three times.

The World Cup final has been decided in extra time seven times, including the last three. Penalties have determined a winner twice. Italy won on penalties in 2006 and Brazil won in 1994. An average of 3.45 have been scored in the World Cup final. The highest scoring World Cup Final was in 1958 when Brazil defeated Sweden 5-2.

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The previous 20 World Cup finals have only featured teams from Europe or South America. Only 12 countries have ever played in the World Cup Final.