Russia, Saudi Arabia to kick off 2018 World Cup today

Saudi Arabia will play host Russia in Moscow today in the inaugural match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Russia entered the World Cup as the lowest-ranked of the 32 teams participating in the tournament as they sit 70th in the FIFA rankings, while Saudi Arabia are three spots above in 67th place.

The match will air at 7pm Gulf Standard Time.

The Kingdom’s sole appearance in the last-16 came in 1994 and since then they have lost seven and drawn two of their matches in three World Cups.

Russia last progressed past the World Cup group stage in 1986, when they were part of the Soviet Union national team.

Saudi Arabia won two warm-up matches before losing three in a row, the last being a 2-1 defeat by World Cup holders Germany.

Russia last won an international match in October 2017, when they beat South Korea 4-2 in a friendly.

The two teams have played each other once before in a friendly in 1993, with Saudi Arabia winning 4-2.

Meanwhile, Egypt will play its World Cup opener with Uruguay on Friday.

Forward Mohamed Salah, who sustained a shoulder injury in the Champions League final against Real Madrid last month, has been working hard to be fit to play the opening match.

Facts

Match: Saudi Arabia vs Russia

Where: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow

Capacity: 80,000

Referee: Nestor Pitana (Argentina)