- The 2018 FIFA World Cup final in Russia kicks off on Sunday, July 15.
- There are only two former World Cup champions left, as the semifinals draw near — with France vs. Belgium and Croatia vs. England left to battle it out for Sunday's showdown.
- Here's everything you need to know — including how you can stream the game live online.
- Read all of Business Insider's World Cup coverage right here.
It's happening — the 2018 FIFA World Cup final is almost here.
The 2018 World Cup — a festival of soccer that only happens once every four years — has defied expectations, eliminated tournament favourites like Brazil, France, and Germany, and has left just four teams to battle it out for a place in Sunday's final.
If you don't know when the final starts or how you can watch each match live online, fear not — Business Insider has your back.
When is the 2018 FIFA World Cup final?
The tournament final begins on Sunday, July 15 and will be contested between the winners of Tuesday's semifinal, France vs. Belgium, and Wednesday's semi between Croatia and England.
The FIFA World Cup final is the last game that takes place in the Russian-run competition and is scheduled to take place at the 81,000 capacity Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
Here's what time the 2018 World Cup final will start in major cities across different time zones on Sunday, July 15.
- London (BST): 4 p.m.
- New York (ET): 11 a.m.
- Chicago (CT): 10 a.m.
- Denver (MT): 9 a.m.
- Las Vegas (PT): 8 a.m.
- Los Angeles (PT): 8 a.m.
- Honolulu (HAST): 5 a.m.
- Sydney (AET): 1 a.m. (Friday).
- Tokyo (JST): 12 a.m (Friday).
- Moscow (MSK): 6 p.m.
- Paris (CEST): 5 p.m.
Why should I watch?
Some of the biggest soccer nations of all time may have suffered humiliating eliminations from this World Cup, but the teams that are left have shown resilience, elite team play, and moments of individual magic.
France forward Kylian Mbappé is only 19 years old but is playing with a maturity that belies his age. His stunning performance against Argentina may have heralded in a new era in sport, where the soccer industry can finally see the future beyond the two biggest names it currently has to offer — Lionel Messi of Argentina, and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.
But standing in Mbappé's way is Belgium, a powerful team unit long touted as a "Golden Generation" that is now finally delivering on all of that early promise and potential. Belgium has an extraordinary spine, from Thibaut Courtois (goalkeeper), through Jan Vertonghen (central defender), Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard (both midfield), and Romelu Lukaku (striker).
In the World Cup's other semifinal, Croatia takes on England.
Croatia has some of the most creative and marvellous midfielders that international soccer has to offer, and have been able to grind out penalty shootout victories under immense pressure. Croatia has great experience in its roster, and has witnessed extraordinary performances from midfield trio Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, and Ivan Perisic.
Croatia is a stark contrast to England, the youngest team left in the competition. England, a team with low expectations before the World Cup started, actually finds itself in the running to win the whole thing.
Led by World Cup top goalscorer Harry Kane, England — just like Belgium — has shown it has an incredible spine in Jordan Pickford (goalkeeper), John Stones and Harry Maguire (both central defenders), Kieran Trippier (right midfielder), and, of course, Kane.
One Business Insider journalist believes, against his better judgement, that England will go all the way and lift the trophy for only the second time in its history.
No matter who makes the final, one thing is guaranteed — the entertainment value that has driven this tournament will continue to deliver. And it will be delivered to an astonishing number of homes as the 2014 final was watched live by over one billion people.
How can I watch live?
For English-speaking TV in the US, Fox or Fox Sports 1 will be your broadcaster. Online streams will be available to US audiences on Fox, and also on fuboTV.
For UK audiences, the World Cup final match will be broadcast on ITV. To watch ITV's matches live online, visit the broadcaster's hub right here.
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