<P> The 2018 FIFA World Cup is the 21st FIFA World Cup, a quadrennial international football tournament contested by the men's national teams of the member associations of FIFA . It is currently ongoing in Russia starting from 14 June and will end with the final match on 15 July 2018 . The country was awarded the hosting rights on 2 December 2010 . </P> <P> This is the first World Cup to be held in Eastern Europe, and the eleventh time that it has been held in Europe . All of the stadium venues are in or just near European Russia to keep travel time manageable . At an estimated cost of over $14.2 billion, it is the most expensive World Cup ever . </P> <P> The final tournament involves 32 national teams, which include 31 teams determined through qualifying competitions and the automatically qualified host team . Of the 32 teams, 20 make back - to - back appearances following the last tournament in 2014, including defending champions Germany, while both Iceland and Panama make their first appearances at a FIFA World Cup . A total of 64 matches will be played in 12 venues located in 11 cities . The final will take place on 15 July at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow . </P> <P> The winners of the World Cup will qualify for the 2021 FIFA Confederations Cup . </P>

Where is the world cup final being held