The start of the
2018 World Cup™ is fast approaching and Russia has done everything it can to transform its stadiums to be ready for the world's premier sporting event. The country now features a vast range of modern refurbished venues, perfect for both fans and players alike.
12 of these stadiums have been specifically selected - all centered around Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium which has been made ready for the Finals.
Let's take a look at all the venues that will play host to the unbeatable atmosphere of World Cup football.
Luzhniki Stadium
Luzhniki Stadium is the venue for the Finals of the World Cup, having previously hosted the Champions League Final in 2008.
It's capacity has been increased to 81,000 and the athletics track has been removed to improve the venue's atmosphere.
Group games that will take place here include:
Russia v Saudi Arabia
Germany v Mexico
Portugal v Morocco
Denmark v France
Kazan Arena
Rubin Kazan moved to this new stadium in 2018 and hosts the largest outdoor screen in Europe.
The Kazan Arena will also host key matches in the Confederations Cup.
Group games that will take place here include:
France v Australia
Iran v Spain
Poland v Colombia
South Korea v Germany
Spartak Stadium
Otherwise known as Otkritie Arena, the home of Spartak Moscow was opened in 2014.
Despite being the most successful team in the history of Russian football, Spartak had never had their own stadium until this venue was completed.
Group games that will take place here include:
Argentina v Iceland
Poland v Senegal
Belgium v Tunisia
Serbia v Brazil
Samara Arena
Known outside of Russia as the Cosmos Arena, the Samara Arena is scheduled to be completed this year and will be the new home of Kylia Sovetov.
The stadium was delayed due to a fire in August but officials are confident that it will be completed prior to the start of the World Cup.
Group games that will take place here include:
Costa Rica v Serbia
Denmark v Australia
Uruguay v Russia
Senegal v Colombia
Mordovia Arena
Mordovia is a republic of nearly 1 million people located 500km east of Moscow but stands as part of the Russian Federation.
Although the stadium capacity will stand at 45,000 for the World Cup, it will be reduced to 28,000 after the event to better meet the needs of the community.
Group games that will take place here include:
Peru v Denmark
Colombia v Japan
Iran v Portugal
Panama v Tunisia
Rostov Arena
The Rostov Arena is part of a new development in the city on the banks of the Don River.
Located 1,000 km south of Moscow, Rostov has never won a league title but came incredibly close in 2015/16 after finishing two points behind CSKA Moscow.
Group games that will take place here include:
Brazil v Switzerland
Uruguay v Saudi Arabia
South Korea v Mexico
Iceland v Croatia
Fisht Stadium
Originally built for the Olympic Games in 2014 as an enclosed arena, the Fisht Stadium has been converted into an open-air football stadium to meet FIFA regulations.
The ground is owned by the government of Russia and is not home to any club team.
Group games that will take place here include:
Portugal v Spain
Belgium v Panama
Germany v Sweden
Australia v Peru
Yekaterinburg Arena
Known as Central Stadium in Yekaterinburg, this previous multipurpose venue has been remodelled and overhauled for the World Cup.
The stadium appears odd as one of the stands behind the goals rises so high as to be in a position directly behind the roof.
Group games that will take place here include:
Egypt v Uruguay
France v Peru
Japan v Senegal
Mexico v Sweden
Volgograd Arena
This newly designed stadium was built specifically for the World Cup and will be the future home of FC Rotor Volgograd.
Despite being brand-new, the stadium will not host any knockout games and this likely due to its distance from Moscow (1000 km).
Group games that will take place here include:
Tunisia v England
Nigeria v Iceland
Saudi Arabia v Egypt
Japan v Poland
Novgorod Arena
This riverside stadium will be located near the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and across the water from the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin.
FC Olimpiyets will take over the stadium after the competition, using it as their new home ground.
Group games that will take place here include:
Sweden v South Korea
Argentina v Croatia
England v Panama
Switzerland v Costa Rica
Kaliningrad Stadium
The Kaliningrad Stadium will host over 35,000 fans for the World Cup and will continue to be used as the new home of FC Baltika Kaliningrad.
The stadium will be officially opened in March with a friendly between Baltika and Schalke.
Group games that will take place here include:
Croatia v Nigeria
Serbia v Switzerland
Spain v Morocco
England v Belgium
St Petersburg Stadium
The massively ambitious St Petersburg stadium is 9 years behind schedule and frighteningly overbudget.
After countless setbacks, it's become game ready to host the Confederations Cup Final.
Group games that will take place here include:
Morocco v Iran
Russia v Egypt
Brazil v Costa Ri
Nigeria v Argentina
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