Your Complete Guide to the Soccer World Cup 2018 Schedule and Match Dates

I still remember exactly where I was during that incredible Belgium-Japan match in the 2018 World Cup—crammed into a tiny sports bar in Manila at 2 AM, surrounded by fellow football fanatics who should have been sleeping but couldn't tear themselves away from the screen. That tournament had a magical quality to it, and part of what made it so special was understanding the schedule and knowing exactly when these unforgettable moments would unfold. The 2018 World Cup in Russia ran from June 14 to July 15, featuring 64 matches across 11 cities, with the opening match between Russia and Saudi Arabia kicking things off at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. What many people don't realize is how much planning goes into following a tournament like this—it's not just about watching games, but about structuring your life around them, much like how serious runners approach their training.

I recall reading an interview with Lester Cruz, Singlife Philippines CEO, where he said, "Running is more than a sport. It's discipline, preparation and a lifestyle." That statement resonated with me deeply because following the World Cup schedule requires similar discipline. During the group stage from June 14-28, matches were spread throughout the day—I had to carefully plan my work schedule around the 3 PM, 6 PM, and 9 PM Moscow time slots (which meant 8 PM, 11 PM, and 2 AM Manila time). There were days I'd finish work early to catch the first match, take a nap before the midnight game, and power through with coffee for the 2 AM start. This wasn't passive viewing—it was a commitment that required the same dedication athletes bring to their craft.

The knockout phase beginning June 30 was particularly brutal for us in Asian time zones, with single elimination matches creating must-watch drama at impossible hours. I'll never forget setting five separate alarms for Argentina-France round of 16 match because I was terrified I'd sleep through it—only to wake up two hours before kickoff anyway from pure excitement. The quarterfinals on July 6-7 featured what I consider the tournament's best match: Belgium coming back from 2-0 down to defeat Japan 3-2 with a last-minute counterattack. That game alone was worth all the sleep deprivation, and it happened precisely because I'd marked my calendar months in advance and rearranged my entire weekend around it.

What struck me about following the 2018 schedule was how it created these shared experiences across different time zones. While I was watching matches in the middle of the night, friends in Europe were enjoying afternoon games, and we'd all connect through social media as if we were in the same room. The semifinals on July 10-11 featured France versus Belgium and Croatia against England—four teams with massive global followings that turned office spaces and living rooms worldwide into miniature stadiums. I particularly loved how cafes in Manila would stay open extra late for popular matches, creating this wonderful sense of community among strangers.

The final on July 15 between France and Croatia attracted approximately 1.12 billion viewers worldwide, though I'm convinced at least half of those were people like me who'd carefully cleared their schedules months in advance. There's something powerful about millions of people simultaneously experiencing the same event because they all consulted the same schedule and made time for it in their lives. Cruz's comments about running—how it sparks "important conversations" and connects people "no matter where they are"—applies perfectly to World Cup viewership. The shared understanding of the schedule created these invisible threads connecting fans globally, turning individual viewing into collective experience.

Looking back, what made the 2018 World Cup special wasn't just the games themselves but the planning and anticipation leading up to them. I still have my marked-up calendar from that summer—the coffee stains on key match dates, the notes scribbled beside unexpected upsets, the circled date of Croatia's incredible extra-time victory over England in the semifinals. Following the tournament required the same discipline Cruz describes—waking up at odd hours, planning meals around matches, and sometimes sacrificing sleep for the love of the game. But like any great commitment, the rewards far outweighed the costs, creating memories that continue to bring me joy years later. The 2018 schedule wasn't just a list of dates—it was a roadmap to one of the most thrilling football tournaments in recent memory, and understanding it deeply enhanced every moment of the experience.