The biggest sporting event on the planet is back. The FIFA World Cup kicks off this Thursday, June 12, with an opening match between Mexico and South Africa at the legendary Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, and it won't stop until July 19. If you've been living under a rock or simply haven't had time to catch up, here's your complete, no-nonsense guide to everything that matters.
This edition is historic for one simple reason: for the first time ever, 48 national teams are competing instead of the usual 32. The matches are spread across 16 stadiums in three host countries: 11 in the United States, 3 in Mexico, and 2 in Canada. The grand final will take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, just outside New York City.
The tournament opens with a group stage (June 11–28), where the 48 teams are divided into 12 groups of four. Each team plays the other three once: three points for a win, one for a draw, none for a loss. The top two from each group qualify, along with the eight best third-placed teams, making 32 sides in total who advance to the knockout rounds. From there it's classic single-elimination football: round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a third-place play-off on July 18 in Miami before the final.
The two biggest favourites are Spain and France. Spain, managed by Luis de la Fuente, have rediscovered the fluid, possession-based style that made them virtually unbeatable between 2008 and 2012, when they won two European Championships and a World Cup. Their poster boy is 18-year-old Lamine Yamal, one of the most exciting teenagers to grace a major tournament in years. France, meanwhile, are arguably the most complete squad in the competition, stacked with elite talent in every position, perhaps even too much of it, which can occasionally be a problem.
Hot on their heels are reigning champions Argentina, led by a certain Lionel Messi. Defending a World Cup is notoriously difficult: only Italy (1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958 and 1962) have ever done it, and both managed it a very long time ago. England (with Harry Kane in excellent form), Brazil (now coached by Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti in his first national team role), and Portugal also have genuine claims.
Japan are quietly dangerous. They have a generation of players who compete regularly at the top level in Europe, and over the past year they've beaten both Brazil and England. Their manager Hajime Moriyasu has spoken openly about winning the tournament, which is either bold or foolish, and possibly both.
Ecuador are worth keeping an eye on too. They conceded just five goals across 18 qualifying matches and haven't lost a game in nearly two years. Ivory Coast, who recently beat France 2-1, are another side capable of doing damage, and Turkey, managed by Italian tactician Vincenzo Montella, will be hoping to match their extraordinary third-place finish from the 2002 World Cup.
