Kick-off time, teams and TV coverage for Russia v Saudi Arabia
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We’re counting down the hours now, with the first game of this summer’s World Cup fast approaching.
For all the info on the tournament curtain-raiser, read on:
Who’s playing?
Tournament hosts Russia face Saudi Arabia. These sides are currently the two lowest-ranked at the World Cup, so it’s something of a must win game for both teams if they want to qualify from the group.
No host nation have ever lost their first game of the tournament, though the Saudis won the only previous meeting between these sides.
When is the first game?
The opening game kicks off on Thursday 14th June at 4pm (UK Time), at Moscow’s 80,000 capacity Luzhniki Stadium. It’s the ground where Manchester United beat Chelsea in the 2008 Champions League Final.
That’s the only game of the tournament’s first day, though the action then comes thick and fast – with a minimum of three games on every following day of the group stage.
Where can I watch it?
The opening game is live on ITV, with coverage of the opening ceremony beginning at 2:30pm with the opening ceremony, and finishing post-match at 6:15pm.
The group stage fixtures will be split evenly between ITV and BBC, with the Beeb’s first game being Egypt v Uruguay at 1pm (UK Time) on Friday.
And you can get all the latest World Cup odds right here.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
