The 2018 FIFA World Cup is finally upon us. The greatest soccer players on the planet have taken the center stage in Russia. The tournament is back in Europe for the first time since it was held in Germany in 2006, and there's no shortage of storylines.

Is this the year that Lionel Messi finally wins the only major trophy missing in his list of career achievements? It's been a 32-year drought for Argentina. Like Messi, who was not born the last time the Albiceleste lifted the World Cup trophy, the window may be closing for Cristiano Ronaldo, who will try to power Portugal, the 2016 Euro winners, to another title.

What about Neymar, who is recovering from a broken foot? Will he be fit to lead a promising Brazil team to its sixth World Cup title?
The hosts will get the party underway on June 14 against Saudi Arabia, and on July 15 a new world champion will be crowned.

World Cup 2018 match schedule (all times UK)

Fixtures for the 2018 World Cup finals, which started on June 14 and runs until July 15 (all time BST)

GROUP STAGE

Russia 5 Saudi Arabia 0 - REPORT

Friday, June 15 (1pm): Egypt v Uruguay BBC

Friday, June 15 (4pm): Morocco v Iran ITV

Friday, June 15 (7pm): Portugal v Spain BBC

Saturday, June 16 (11am): France v Australia BBC

Saturday, June 16 (2pm): Argentina v Iceland ITV

Saturday, June 16 (5pm): Peru v Denmark BBC

Saturday, June 16 (8pm): Croatia v Nigeria ITV

Sunday, June 17 (1pm): Costa Rica v Serbia ITV

Sunday, June 17 (4pm): Germany v Mexico BBC

Sunday, June 17 (7pm): Brazil v Switzerland ITV

Monday, June 18 (1pm): Sweden v Korea Rep ITV

Monday, June 18 (4pm): Belgium v Panama BBC

Monday, June 18 (7pm): Tunisia v England BBC

Tuesday, June 19 (1pm): Colombia v Japan BBC

Tuesday, June 19 (4pm): Poland v Senegal ITV

Tuesday, June 19 (7pm): Russia v Egypt BBC

Wednesday, June 20 (1pm): Portugal v Morocco BBC

Wednesday, June 20 (4pm): Uruguay v Saudi Arabia BBC

Wednesday, June 20 (7pm): Iran v Spain ITV

Thursday, June 21 (1pm): Denmark v Australia ITV

Thursday, June 21 (4pm): France v Peru ITV

Thursday, June 21 (7pm): Argentina v Croatia BBC

Friday, June 22 (1pm): Brazil v Costa Rica ITV

Friday, June 22 (4pm): Nigeria v Iceland BBC

Friday, June 22 (7pm): Serbia v Switzerland BBC

Saturday, June 23 (1pm): Belgium v Tunisia BBC

Saturday, June 23 (4pm): Korea Rep v Mexico ITV

Saturday, June 23 (7pm): Germany v Sweden ITV

Sunday, June 24 (1pm): England v Panama BBC

Sunday, June 24 (4pm):  Japan v Senegal BBC

Sunday, June 24 (7pm):  Poland v Colombia ITV

Monday June 25 (3pm): Uruguay v Russia ITV

Monday June 25 (3pm): Saudi Arabia v Egypt ITV4

Monday June 25 (7pm): IR Iran v Portugal BBC

Monday June 25 (7pm):  Spain v Morocco BBC

Tuesday, June 26 (3pm): Denmark v France ITV

Tuesday, June 26 (3pm): Australia v Peru ITV4

Tuesday, June 26 (7pm): Nigeria v Argentina BBC

Tuesday, June 26 (7pm): Iceland v Croatia BBC

Wednesday, June 27 (3pm): Korea Rep v Germany BBC

Wednesday, June 27 (3pm): Mexico v Sweden BBC

Wednesday, June 27 (7pm): Serbia v Brazil ITV

Wednesday, June 27 (7pm): Switzerland v Costa Rica ITV 4

Thursday, June 28 (3pm): Japan v Poland BBC

Thursday, June 28 (3pm): Senegal v Colombia BBC

Thursday, June 28 (7pm): England v Belgium ITV

Thursday, June 28 (7pm): Panama v Tunisia ITV 4

ROUND of 16

Match Day Date KO Team/Group Channel

Saturday, June 30 (7pm): 1A v 2B ITV

Saturday, June 30 (3pm): 1C v 2D Pick 2: ITV

Sunday, July 1 (3pm): 1B v 2A Pick 3: BBC

Sunday, July 1 (7pm): 1D v 2C Pick 4: ITV

Monday, July 2 (3pm): 1E v 2F Pick 5: BBC

Monday, July 2 (7pm): 1G v 2H Pick 6: BBC

Tuesday, July 3 (3pm): 1F v 2E Pick 7: ITV

Tuesday, July 3 (7pm): 1H v 2G Pick 8: BBC

QUARTER FINALS

Friday, July 6 (3pm): Winner of Match 1 vs Winner of Match 2 BBC

Friday, July 6 (7pm): Winner of Match 5 vs Winner of Match 6 BBC

Saturday, July 7 (3pm): Winner of Match 7 vs Winner of Match 8 ITV

Saturday, July 7 (7pm): Winner of Match 3 vs Winner of Match 4 ITV

SEMI FINALS

61 Tuesday, July 10 (7pm): Winner QF1 vs Winner QF2 ITV
62 Wednesday, July 11 (7pm): Winner QF4 vs Winner QF3 BBC

THIRD PLACE PLAY-OFF

63 Saturday, July 14 (3pm): Loser SF1 vs Loser SF2 ITV

FINAL

64 Sunday, July 15 (4pm): Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 ITV and BBC