This summer’s World Cup in Russia will be the highlight of sporting year and numerous nations are in with a chance of winning football’s ultimate prize.
The likes of Brazil, Germany and France are amongst the favourites to win the tournament, but it would be foolish to write off Spain and Argentina as well.
There are loads of ways you can follow the tournament, so read on to find out more about the five best ways to enjoy the 2018 World Cup.
You can still buy match tickets
The World Cup gets underway in Moscow and there are still tickets available for selected matches on FIFA’s website.
Together with the last-minute sales phase, FIFA Venue Ticketing Centres (FVTC) are open in all host cities for fans to purchase tickets over the counter, depending on availability.
There are still hotels and flights available, so it is possible to piece together a last minute trip-of-a-lifetime to the World Cup.
Visit the FIFA Fan Fests
One of the best 2018 World Cup tips is to check out the FIFA Fan Fests. Football fans can choose from a diverse list of iconic locations in 2018, such as the Sparrow Hills on the right bank of the Moskva River, the famous beach promenade in Sochi or the stunning Family Center Kazan.
Over five million people attended the 2014 events in Brazil and they are a great way to experience the tournament. The venues serve as informal and joyful meeting points, allowing fans from across the world to meet up and create some lifelong memories.
Watch from home
If you’re catching the action on your sofa in the UK, then you’ll have a choice between the BBC and ITV. The BBC is broadcasting 33 live matches in high definition across BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Four.
Twenty-three matches from the group stages will be shown live on ITV and ITV4 and 32 games in total will be broadcast live during Russia 2018, plus you’ll be able to stream the World Cup online too.
Enhance your World Cup experience at home by inviting your mates around. Get the fridge stocked up with beer and fire up the barbeque!
Head down to the pub
Pubs have become a natural home for watching live sport on big screen televisions. Fans enjoy relaxing with a drink or meal while watching the match with their mates, especially if watching from home doesn’t provide the right atmosphere!
Sharing the banter and discussing the games is very much a community event. Statistics from previous major tournaments show that around 14.8 million people head to the pub to watch a football game, so you’ll never be alone if fancy a beer or two!
Follow the World Cup online or on mobile
Broadcasters around the world will be showing the tournament online, so wherever you are you won’t miss a moment of the action if you have access to a suitable laptop or tablet.
There’s also FIFATV on YouTube. It has highlights packages, along with interviews, previews and full replays of classic matches from previous World Cups.
You can also watch on mobile, with many leading broadcasters offering the games via their apps. Don’t forget to get involved across social media too – fans are sure to enjoy plenty of banter throughout the World Cup.
