World Cup 2018: Reports, blogs, galleries, videos and where to watch in UAE

The 2018 World Cup has begun. The world's best players are on display in Russia from June 14-July 15 for the global showpiece finals.

You can follow all the developing action in Russia with The National, with our daily live updates blog. There will also be expert analysis and features throughout proceedings from our team of writers.

There is analysis on each of the 32 sides competing in the group guides, and our staff have all put their respective credibility as sports pundits on the line with their predictions for what is going to happen. Come back throughout the tournament to find out how right, or wrong, they have proved to be.

There is a also a full listing below on where to watch the games in the UAE.

Look below to find everything you could possibly want to know about the 2018 World Cup.

A view of the Spartak Stadium in Moscow on May 23, 2018. The 45,000-seater stadium will host four group matches and a round of 16 game of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. / AFP / Mladen ANTONOV — The Spartak Stadium in Moscow. Etisalat has offered customers a Dh550 package to watch all 64 World Cup games in Russia. Mladen Antonov / AFP

THE ACTION AS IT HAPPENS

There will be a daily blog on every day of live action at the World Cup, keeping you informed on team news, results, goals and reports from news conferences.
You can follow a record of how World Cup 2018 unfolds here.

Day 13: Rojo goal sends Argentina through to last 16

Day 12: Uruguay maintain 100 per cent start, Spain pip Portugal to top group

Day 11: England hit six as Colombia eliminate Poland

Day 10: Germany leave it late as Mexico and Belgium win

Day 9: Delight for Switzerland as Brazil and Nigeria win

Day 8: Messi and Argentina on brink of early exit

Day 7: Ronaldo on target again as Portugal and Spain both pick up wins
Day 6: Russia on brink of last 16 after defeat of Egypt
Day 5: England, Belgium, Sweden off to winning starts
Day 4: Mexico shock defending champions Germany as Brazil held by Switzerland
Day 3: Messi misses penalty as Argentina draw with Iceland as France helped by VAR
Day 2: Ronaldo hits hat-trick as Egypt beaten by late Uruguay goal
Day 1: Russia off to a flying start with Saudi Arabia victory

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INTERACTIVE WALL CHART

Here's your chance to keep on top of the tournament in Russia, from the group stages all the way through to the final.

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FEATURES

Profile: Marcus Berg, the self-deprecating successor to Ibrahimovic who Sweden rely on for more than just goals

John McAuley: Mohamed Salah apologies to Egypt fans following World Cup exit and vows 'we will be back again in 2022'

Dejan Lovren: Croatia can go 'a long way' at World Cup after Argentina win

Steve Luckings: Ronaldo's hat-trick, Musa magic and the 10 best moments of the tournament so far

Richard Jolly: Mohammed Abdullah Hassan an authoritative figure as referee for France v Peru

Jon Tuner: Messi overreaction, Salah's early exit and 10 worst moments so far

Steve Luckings: Sadio Mane and the rest of Senegal's modern day stars owe class of 2002 a huge debt

Ian Oxoborrow: Why Ronaldo and the set-piece experts are rocking World Cup 2018

John McAuley: Egypt fans keep the faith in Moscow despite losing start to World Cup campaign

Gary Meenaghan: Relaxation the key to Brazil's bid to make amends for 2014 trauma in Russia

Richard Jolly: Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Iceland ready for World Cup debut and challenge of stopping Messi

John McAuley: Ahmed Elmohamady on Mohamed Salah, that win over Congo and reaching a World Cup with Egypt

Andy Mitten: Cristiano Ronaldo is up to the challenge of winning the World Cup with Portugal

John McAuley: Russians unimpressed by home team but excited about World Cup 2018

Ian Hawkey: Uruguay are dark horses at the World Cup, but can Suarez contain his darker side?

Richard Jolly: World Cup 2018 at Russia's doorstep but no sign of winter ending for home team

Ian Hawkey: Serial winners Germany in a slump ahead of defence of World Cup in Russia

John McAuley: Meet the Emirati World Cup referee who kept Stoichkov and Ronaldo in check

Gary Meenaghan: World Cup fever fails to grip a Brazil dealing with bigger problems

Richard Jolly: Elder statesman Essam El-Hadary 'a true leader' for Egypt

John McAuley: Mo Salah and teammates have a chance ‘to make all of Egypt happy’

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PODCASTS

Ahead of kick off on Thursday, when hosts Russia take on Saudi Arabia in the opening match in Moscow, The National's Extra Time podcast staged a special World Cup quiz episode.

Two teams battled it out in the ultimate test of World Cup trivia - John McAuley and Jon Turner took on Adam Workman and Steve Luckings with a trophy - Leo the Lion Messi - on offer for the winners and a trip to Emirates Park Zoo planned for the losing team.

Join host and quizmaster Mustafa Alrawi to find out who emerged victorious and who are on their way to feed baby goats at the zoo!

Also listen to:

Extra Time podcast: John McAuley's Road to Russia

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GROUP GUIDES

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(All Ian Hawkey)

Group A

[ Group B ]

[ Group C ]

[ Group D ]

(All Richard Jolly)

[ Group E ]

[ Group F ]

[ Group G ]

[ Group H ]

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In this Oct. 10, 2017 photo, Brazil's Gabriel Jesus celebrates with his famous "Alo Mae" pretend phone call to his Mom, after scoring against Chile, during a World Cup qualifying soccer match in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) — Which of our columnists, reporters and writers thinks Brazil's Gabriel Jesus will finish as top scorer at Russia 2018? Andre Penner / AP Photo

PREDICTIONS

Ian Hawkey, Richard Jolly, Andy Mitten, our World Cup reporter John McAuley and the rest of The National's sports desk give their predictions of who will win, who will flop and who you should keep an eye out for.

World Cup 2018: Winners, losers, top-scorers and players to watch

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