Association football tournament in Russia The 2018 FIFA World Cup was the 21st FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial world championship for national football teams organised by FIFA. It took place in Russia from 14 June to 15 July 2018, after the country was awarded the hosting rights in late 2010. It was the eleventh time the championships had been held in Europe and the first time they were held in Russia, also featuring one or two venues, depending on definition, located across the boundary with Asia. At an estimated cost of over $14.2 billion, it was the most expensive World Cup ever held until it was surpassed by the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 441,143 views on December 1, 2017 — Wikipedia's most-read article that day. Also most read: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Jim Nabors, Matt Lauer, Killing of Kate Steinle. Wiki link