It’s here.
All eyes will be on Russia over the next few weeks with the greatest tournament on earth taking place on the other side of the world. The competition was set in motion on Thursday afternoon but the meeting of the two lowest ranked teams in the whole tournament wasn’t one to get pulses racing.
The real action kicks off on Friday with two salivating encounters taking place. Over the next month, 32 teams will battle it out for the Jules Rimet.
Here’s all you need to know about the competition’s first proper day of action.
Friday’s matches and television details
Egypt v Uruguay, Group A, 1.00, Ekaterinburg Arena
Where can I watch it?
The game will be broadcast on RTÉ Two and on BBC One.
Morocco v Iran, Group B, 4.00, Saint Petersburg Stadium
Where can I watch it?
The game will be broadcast on RTÉ Two and on ITV.
Portugal v Spain, Group B, 7.00, Fisht Olympic Stadium
Where can I watch it?
Coverage details
RTÉ Two
The pundits
The regulars…
Eamon Dunphy, Liam Brady, Richie Sadlier, Damien Duff and Didi Hamann
The new additions…
Keith Andrews, Richard Dunne and Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill
The presenters
Darragh Maloney, Peter Collins and Jacqui Hurley
The commentators
George Hamilton, Ger Canning, Adrian Eames, John Kenny, Stephen Alkin and Hugh Cahill, Ronnie Whelan, Jim Beglin, Ray Houghton and Brian Kerr.
ITV
The pundits
The regulars
Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane, Ian Wright and Lee Dixon.
The new additions…
Gary Neville, Eniola Aluko, Patrice Evra, Henrik Larsson, Martin O’Neill, Slaven Bilic, Mark Clattenburg.
The presenters
Jacqui Oatley, Mark Pougatch
The commentators
Clive Tyldesley, Sam Matterface, Jon Champion, Joe Speight, Glenn Hoddle, Ally McCoist, Iain Dowie.
BBC
The pundits
The regulars…
Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Alan Shearer, Phil Neville, Alex Scott, Danny Murphy, Martin Keown, Jermaine Jenas
The new additions…
Didier Drogba, Pablo Zabaleta, Jurgen Klinsmann, Cesc Fabregas
The presenters
Gary Lineker, Gabby Logan, Jason Mohammed, Dan Walker, Mark Chapman
The commentators
Guy Mowbray, Jonathan Pearce, Steve Wilson, Steve Bower,Simon Brotherton, Vicki Sparks, Kevin Kilbane, Mark Lawrenson.
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