We round up the key footballing dates for 2018

FIFA World Cup on the horizon in June and July

Two women’s football tournaments later in the year Happy New Year! 2018 is upon us and is set to feature fantastic football aplenty. To make sure that you do not miss any of the must-see events in store, FIFA.com has rounded up the highlights on the horizon. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your brand new diary and note down the following key dates. 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ *Undoubtedly the main footballing event already marked in the calendar of most football fans around the world is the global showpiece at Russia 2018. On *Thursday 14 June, the first of 64 games will kick-off with the hosts against Saudi Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium, with the 2018 World Cup Final taking place at the same venue on Sunday 15 July.

Here they are! The groups for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia! 🇷🇺🙌



Which game are you most looking forward to?! 😁#WorldCupDraw pic.twitter.com/CYBTaqkgpF — FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) December 1, 2017

FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018

Less than a month after the final whistle is blown in Moscow at Russia 2018, focus shifts to the women’s game. With the picturesque region of Brittany set to host this year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, the tournament will begin in Vannes on* Sunday 5 August, with the final to be played at the same venue on *Friday 24 August. Fans keen to learn the fate of the qualified teams will also need to note down Thursday 8 March, the date on which the draw will be held to split the 16 teams into four groups.

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018 *South America has not hosted a global women’s youth finals for a decade, since Chile played host to the U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2008, and so fans of women’s football across the world will be turning a keen eye to Uruguay later in the year. The tournament will begin on *Tuesday 13 November, and conclude on Saturday 1 December. When all the teams are known, the draw will take place in Zurich on Wednesday 30 May.