Russia won the hosting rights in 2010, beating a joint Portugal/Spain bid. 12 venues will be used with Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow to host the final on July 16. The stadium, with a capacity of 81,000, will also host the opening game between Russia and Saudi Arabia.
The 12 venues are across 11 cities, with Ekaterinburg the furthest east and Kaliningrad the furthest west.
The most interesting stadium is Ekaterinburg Arena which features two stands which sit behind the exterior of the actual stadium.
The teams
32 nations make up the 21st World Cup, 14 from Europe, five from South America, five from Africa, five from Asia and three from CONCACAF. Iceland and Panama both qualified for the first time while Peru return after a 36-year gap, last appearing in 1982.
It's also been a decent wait for Egypt (last appearance 1990) and Morocco (1998).
Iceland, with a population of 334,000, is the smallest country in terms of population to reach the World Cup.
It's worth nothing these teams didn't qualify: Italy, Netherlands, USA, Cameroon, Chile and New Zealand.
The groups
Group A - Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Uruguay
It's a pretty weak group but does include a former winning nation - Uruguay won in 1930 and 1950 - and Mohamed Salah, one of the in-form players in the world right now. It has the lowest number in terms of cumulative world rankings with Uruguay, 17th in the world, ranked the highest.
Group B - Portugal, Spain, Morocco and Iran
There's not really a 'group of death' this time around but this could be considered on based on the fact the Iberian nations will potentially kill Morocco and Iran in their clashes. Get the participation ribbons ready for the lower ranked teams in this group.
Group C - France, Peru, Australia, Denmark
It's France and then take your guess of which other side qualifies for the second round. Might be a tough watch for All Whites fans with Australia alongside Peru who earned their spot after beating New Zealand in the intercontinental playoffs.
Group D - Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria
This looks like a fun group. You have Lionel Messi, the lovable underdogs Iceland, a Luka Modric led Croatia and Nigeria who face Argentina for the fifth time at a World Cup including a five-goal thriller four years ago.
Group E - Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia
Is this another group where three teams seem to be battling for second place? Switzerland are ranked sixth in the world but whether they deserve that high ranking will be proven in Russia especially up against a Serbian side that lost once in qualifying and Costa Rica who impressed four years ago by topping a group that included Italy, England and Uruguay before making the last eight.
Group F - Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea
This group certainly lacks a weaker side with Germany the heavy favourites to top the group. The Germans have lost once in their last 21 World Cup group games. Looking at the rest, Mexico are the top ranked side from CONCACAF and have made the last 16 the last six tournaments and probably have the edge over a Sweden side without Zlatan Ibrahimovic and South Korea who enter as the fourth best team out of Asia.
Group G - Belgium, Panama, Tunisia and England
According to the rankings this is a very strong group with Belgium, England and Tunisia (who knew?) all ranked in the world's 14. The final group game between England and Belgium could be a real belter and decide which side goes through top. But it seems unlikely any team in this group will make the semifinals.
Group H - Poland, Senegal, Colombia, Japan
This is really the 'take your pick' group of the tournament. It's the only group that doesn't feature a previous World Cup winner but all four teams could cause an upset along the way in the knock-out stages. Colombia have James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao while Poland feature Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich. Hopefully that means goals.
Where to watch
Sky TV announced this week that they have the rights and will air all 64 games live. The coverage will also extend to Prime with live free-to-air coverage of 22 games, including two quarter-finals, the semifinals and final.
The odds
The New Zealand TAB has defending champions Germany listed at the favourites at $5. They have won the tournament four times previously and have made it to at least the semifinals in the last four events.
Brazil are paying $5.50 to win their sixth World Cup title followed by France ($6.50) and Spain ($7). Lionel Messi's Argentina are paying $10 with Belgium ($12) and England ($15) both favoured ahead of European Champions Portugal ($21). It's hard to see any side outside of these nations winning it.
If you like backing the biggest outsider then you have your choice of either Panama, Saudi Arabia or Tunisia, ranked 14th in the world, who are all paying $501.
If you're not excited for the tournament yet, this promo for FoxSports in the US should get you fizzed.
