The group stage games are due from June 14 – 29, 2018. All three channels will beam live the opening ceremony at 9pm on Thursday 14 and the curtain-raiser between Russia and Saudi Arabia afterwards.

“Real Madrid announce that Julen Lopetegui will be the coach of the first team during the next three seasons,” the Champions League winners said in a statement, adding that the 51-year-old “will join the club after Spain’s participation in the World Cup”.

Lopetegui will replace Zinedine Zidane as coach at the Santiago Bernabeu, after the Frenchman quit on May 31 in the wake of their Champions League final win over Liverpool in Kiev.

The news comes as a jolt for Spain, just three days before their opening game at the Russian World Cup against Iberian neighbours Portugal in Sochi.

Lopetegui and the Spain squad are currently at their training base in the southern Russian city of Krasnodar.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed that Madrid will pay compensation to get Lopetegui out of the two years he has remaining on his contract with the national team.

He only signed an extension to his deal until 2020 last month.

“The RFEF will receive payment of the release clause so that the current national coach can join Real Madrid,” read a statement, adding that Lopetegui would appear alongside federation president Luis Rubiales at a press conference at Spain’s Russian training base on Wednesday at 11:30am (0830 GMT).

Spain are among the favourites to win the World Cup after an almost flawless qualifying campaign, and he will be hoping that the announcement does not overly unsettle his squad just before the competition gets under way.

Lopetegui’s national squad includes six Real players in Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Nacho Fernandez, Marco Asensio, Isco and Lucas Vazquez.

“The RFEF requests the maximum respect in order to maintain normality in the national team camp ahead of our debut in the tournament against Portugal,” added the federation’s statement.

– Unbeaten record –

Lopetegui was appointed as Spain coach in the wake of their poor showing at Euro 2016 in France when they were eliminated in the last 16, losing 2-0 to Italy.

Zidane quit Real after a remarkable two and a half years in charge during which he led the club to three consecutive Champions League titles, as well as one La Liga crown.

However, Real finished third in La Liga in the season just finished, 17 points behind champions Barcelona, and Zidane had admitted that he was unsure of his ability to oversee more success in the future.

His decision to quit as Madrid coach suddenly left the Spanish giants in limbo. Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino had initially emerged as the leading candidate to replace the Frenchman but will now stay in the Premier League.

As a player, Basque-born Lopetegui was a goalkeeper on Real’s books early in his career, and he returned for a spell in charge of their second team a decade ago.

He also briefly played for Barcelona and later led Spain’s under-21 side to the European Championship title in 2013.

He went on to coach Porto before succeeding Vicente del Bosque, who had overseen Spain’s triumphs at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 but had also been in charge for the disappointing group-stage exit at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

La Roja cruised through qualifying for this year’s World Cup, with nine wins and a draw in 10 games, scoring 36 goals and conceding three.

Indeed, Spain are still unbeaten under the Basque after 20 matches including friendlies.

The current trend for swarming attacks, led by speedy forwards and daring full-backs, will have the game’s most lethal scorers licking their lips ahead of the opening match on Thursday.

Here, we take a look at five penalty-box predators likely to do the most damage in the tournament.

Timo Werner 

Germany were left with a Miroslav Klose shaped hole after he retired from international football in 2014 but the vacancy looks to have been filled by Werner, who hit 21 goals for Leipzig last season. With lightning pace and a cool head in front of goal, the 22-year-old will be eager to make a mark at his first major tournament.

Gabriel Jesus 

Brazil are hardly lacking for talent in forward positions but Jesus is expected to lead the line, owing to his speed, finishing and quickness of thought around the penalty area. A knee injury in January was Manchester City’s loss but could be Brazil’s gain if Jesus heads into Group E with an extra spring in his step. Expect him to shine.

Harry Kane 

Kane was officially confirmed as England’s captain last month and he is arguably the only player in Gareth Southgate’s squad among the world’s very best in his position. His form for Tottenham in the Champions League last term, where he scored seven goals in seven games, proves Kane can deliver on the highest stage. If England provide the service, Kane will find the net.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo’s days of dribbling past hoards of scrambling defenders may be over but the Portugese has found a new lease of life for Real Madrid as an out-and-out striker. Dangerous with both feet and superb in the air, the 33-year-old heads into this World Cup with 50 goals in 50 games this season. He would love to add a Golden Boot to his glittering list of accolades.

Iago Aspas 

Diego Costa had been the favourite to lead the line for Spain but Aspas is pushing for a start, after a brilliant season for Celta Vigo and scoring the winner in a friendly against Tunisia last weekend. Quick in behind and clinical around the box, Aspas can offer Spain a more direct approach when their possession game meets resistance. If given the chance, Aspas could catch fire.

“If anything, it takes pressure off me just because I played well last week,” Johnson said Tuesday at Shinnecock Hills, where the year’s second major tees off on Thursday.

Johnson, toppled from the number one spot last month by Justin Thomas, regained the summit on Sunday with a storming six-shot victory in the US PGA Tour FedEx St. Jude Classic in Memphis.

The 33-year-old sealed his win in emphatic style, holing out for an eagle at the 72nd hole.

“I had a lot on the line on Sunday,” Johnson said. “I knew it. I knew if I go out and win the golf tournament, I go back to number one.

“To go out and play the way I did, especially on the back nine, was definitely a big confidence boost for me coming into this week.”

Johnson, who won the 2016 US Open at Oakmont in a long-awaited major breakthrough, had reached number one in February of 2017 and stayed there for 64 weeks before he was supplanted by Thomas.

He’s not shy in saying the number one ranking is a motivator for him.

“Absolutely,” Johnson said. “I think it’s a spot where all golfers want to be. It’s definitely a spot where I want to be. So it’s motivation to keep me working hard and keep doing the things I’m doing.”

Johnson opened 2018 with an impressive victory in the Tournament of Champions in January.

He scattered four top-10 finishes among his next eight starts before his win in Memphis, a tournament he added to his schedule in a bid to sharpen up his putting, which he felt had been letting him down.

“It was definitely getting frustrating, because I felt like I was hitting a lot of good putts that weren’t going in the hole. And I was also hitting a lot of bad putts that had no chance of going in the hole,” Johnson said. “Frustrating — very frustrating.”

With a solid win behind him — Johnson posted four rounds in the 60s at TPC Southwind — he’s confident he has the game to become the first player to win the US Open the week after capturing a PGA Tour title.

“I feel like right now, my game’s in very good shape,” he said. “It definitely would be awesome to get my second major.”

Johnson will launch that quest on Thursday playing alongside Thomas and 14-time major champion Tiger Woods in a blockbuster group.

He’s got no reservations about playing the first two rounds in a group that will draw a massive and no doubt raucous gallery.

“I like it,” he said. “I like playing with J.T. I like playing with Tiger. We’ll have a big gallery out there. It will be a lot of fun.”

The 36-year-old Swedish icon retired from the national team after Euro 2016 but speculation lingered in the run-up to the squad announcement last month that the former Juventus, AC Milan, Barcelona and Manchester United striker could make an international comeback.

“Zlatan has been the best player for Sweden for many years, but after the European Championships he said that he would finish with the international team, we respected his answer,” said Granqvist in Gelendzhik after the team’s first training session.

“We must focus on us, we are here now, the squad that has been selected is the one that will play,” the 33-year-old Krasnodar defender told AFP.

Granqvist replaced Ibrahimovic as captain, and won the Swedish footballer of the year award in 2017, the first time anyone other than his predecessor won the award since 2006.

In Group F, Sweden open their World Cup against South Korea in Nizhny Novgorod on June 18, before facing reigning World champions Germany and Mexico.

Coach Janne Andersson said he was not concerned that the Nordic side has won just one of six games since dramatically ousting Italy in a playoff last November.

“Friendlies are very different from competitive games like against Italy, we feel confident about the World Cup,” he said.

Sweden also beat France in qualifying, and came ahead of the Netherlands who failed to make it to Russia.

Apart from a minor concern over a John Guidetti wrist sprain, the Swedish camp reported no injury worries.

“Cable television is an indispensable right for everyone deprived of their liberty,” according to a statement from nine inmates at Puerto Madryn jail some 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) south of Buenos Aires.

“It hasn’t been working for three days. And we have decided not to receive any food until the problem is resolved,” the prisoners wrote.

The nine inmates also filed a legal suit to assert their rights. The cable system, located in a common area of the jail, was damaged recently and not repaired.

Argentina face Iceland on Saturday in Moscow in their first match of the World Cup.

The tournament kicks off when hosts Russia play Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

Charouck Arirachakaran, the Vice President and Secretary-General of the Olympic Committee of Thailand, said of those taking part 8,000 would compete in the 10-kilometre race (with a tracking chip) and 2,000 in the 5km race (no tracking chip) and there would be no age restrictions in either event.

Everyone competing will be given souvenir T-shirts bearing the IOC logo, plus a medal and an IOC certificate, the top 100 will also receive finishers’ T-shirts and the first three to finish the 10km race in both the male and female categories will also receive a shield.

“Such an overwhelming reception shows that Thais are interested in exercise and health care,” said Charouck after the event drew more than 10,000 applications for the second straight year.

“Most importantly, proceeds from the event will be given to charity. The event will strictly follow international standards for an international running event with water stations, deposit stations for personal belongings and medical stations provided. Runners can be sure of a memorable experience.”

Runners are asked to pick up their shirts and bibs on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 June from 10 am to 7 pm at Supachalasai Meeting Room (near Gate 12) at Supachalasai Stadium.

The 10km run will start at 5am and the 5km half an hour later.

Djokovic is a lowly 21st in the ATP rankings after the struggling Serb’s wretched run continued with an embarrassing French Open quarter-final defeat against Italian journeyman Marco Cecchinato last week.

Following that stunning setback, the 31-year-old had said he might miss Wimbledon, which gets underway on July 2, in a bid to give him time to refocus following a turbulent year.

But Djokovic, a three-time Wimbledon champion, has instead decided to start his preparations for the grass-court Grand Slam earlier than usual by entering the prestigious Queen’s tournament, starting in west London on June 18.

“I am very excited to be playing the Fever-Tree Championships again. I have happy memories of reaching the final at the Queen’s Club 10 years ago and also winning the doubles title,” Djokovic said in a statement released by tournament organisers on Monday.

“The atmosphere is always great and I am looking forward to playing in front of the British crowd again. After the exciting events in Rome and Paris, I’m ready for new challenges.”

Djokovic, beaten by Rafael Nadal in the 2008 Queen’s final, traditionally opts against playing a pre-Wimbledon event, preferring to use a handful of exhibition matches to get his game ready for the grass courts.

It was in doubt whether the 12-time Grand Slam champion would be seen in England at all this year.

Speaking following the Cecchinato loss, he said: “I don’t know if I’m going to play on grass. I cannot give you any answer. I’m just not thinking about tennis at the moment.”

Djokovic hasn’t earned a major title since competing his career Grand Slam by winning the 2016 French Open.

He has failed to reach the semi-finals in any of his last five Grand Slam appearances, while his last two Wimbledons have ended in a third round exit in 2016 and last year’s quarter-final withdrawal due to the elbow injury that troubled him for several months.

But Djokovic, dogged by rumours that he no longer has the motivation and desire to return to the top, hopes his extra time on the grass can spark a revival — starting in his first Queen’s appearance since 2010.

“Grass is very special, it is the rarest of surfaces so I’m happy I’ll have the opportunity to compete at this strong tournament, which will also be a great preparation for Wimbledon,” he said.

“(Coach) Marian Vajda and Gebhard Phil-Gritsch will be with me in London, and this makes me happy.”

Djokovic joins a singles line-up led by world number one and French Open champion Nadal and also featuring Juan Martin del Potro, Marin Cilic and Stan Wawrinka.

Former Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, a five-time Queen’s winner, is registered to make his return in the tournament after a year out of action with a hip injury.

As the atmosphere built before Thursday’s curtainraiser between the hosts and Saudi Arabia, Argentina star Lionel Messi and his teammates and France’s talent-studded squad including Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe were put through their paces.

World champions Germany, seeking to equal Brazil’s record of five World Cup wins, will land in Russia on Tuesday, along with Gareth Southgate’s youthful England side.

Brazil and Neymar arrived in the Black Sea resort of Sochi in the early hours in buoyant mood after hammering Austria 3-0 in their final warm-up match on Sunday.

Neymar, who broke a bone in his foot in February, marked his first start in more than three months by scoring in Sunday’s easy victory in Vienna.

– Disputed choice –

Russia was a disputed choice when it was handed the World Cup in a closely watched 2010 vote that has since been tainted by bribery charges, and the 2018 tournament takes place against a background of international tensions.

Russia and the West have engaged in a major wave of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions since London accused Moscow of being behind the poisoning of Sergei Skripal in Britain in March.

But as the clock ticks down to the opener in Moscow’s imposing 80,000-capacity Luzhniki stadium, the tournament is beginning to catch the public mood, with about 3,500 fans attending Australia’s training session in the central city of Kazan.

Russian supporters, enjoying a holiday, shouted “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, go, go, go”.

Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan warned France that a new, improved Australia team are plotting an early World Cup shock when the sides meet in Kazan on Saturday.

“Come the France game, we’re going to be ready… and giving ourselves opportunities to win this game,” the stopper who plays for Premier League side Brighton warned. “We can’t wait for Saturday.”

France, who boast “world-class” attacking talent, according to Australia midfielder Massimo Luongo, are among the tournament favourites in Russia alongside Brazil, Germany and Spain.

The atmosphere also went up a notch in Red Square in Moscow, where dozens of Argentinian, Colombian and Mexican fans sang and played drums in support of their teams as darkness fell.

– Salah trains –

A big question mark hangs over the participation of Egypt and Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah, who is still receiving treatment for the shoulder injury he suffered in the Champions League final.

Team doctor Mohamed Abou al-Ela admitted the striker, who scored 44 goals for Liverpool this season, was unlikely to play in Egypt’s opening Group A match against Uruguay on Friday.

But Salah did some light running in Grozny on Monday, monitored by medical staff, as the other Egypt players took part in a group warm-up.

Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera said he hoped Salah would be fit to line up when the two countries clash.

“I like the best players to play, I train with the best and I want the best players to play,” Muslera said.

Argentina captain Messi said his international future will be determined by his country’s performance at the World Cup.

“It will depend on how far we go, how we’re going to finish” at the finals, Messi told Spanish daily Sport.

“We’ve just lost three finals in a row, which has led to us going through some difficult moments with the press,” the Barcelona forward said.

Argentina lost the 2014 World Cup final 1-0 to Germany after extra time, before suffering successive defeats by Chile on penalties at the Copa America in 2015 and 2016.

Even before the tournament gets under way, FIFA has the major task on Wednesday of choosing the host of the 2026 World Cup — a straight fight between a joint bid featuring the United States, Canada and Mexico and Morocco.

A long-awaited report from FIFA inspectors left the North American bid as the front-runner in the race to host the first 48-team World Cup.

The 25-year-old Panuphol broke into the world’s top-200 for the first time in his career after claiming a one-shot victory on his home course at the Thai Country Club. The Thai marked his second win in what was his 150th start on the Asian Tour.

Heading into the final round with a one-shot lead, Panuphol closed with an even-par 70 and a 13-under-par 267 total to take home the winner’s prize purse of US$54,000, which moved him up 16 spots to 12th place on the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings.

Panuphol, who turned professional in 2007 at a young age of 14, also received 14 OWGR points courtesy of his victory at the US$300,000 Asian Tour event where he became only the fifth Thai to win his National Open since its inception in 1965.

Basking in the glory of his home victory, Panuphol, nicknamed ‘Coconut’ by his parents, is especially proud and delighted to clinch the title in front of his father Chinnawat, who had watched him from the gallery on the 18th green.

“It’s amazing. I can’t put it into words. It means a lot to win the title in front of my dad. He’s been with me ever since I picked up the game when I was eight. He’s been my best coach and my everything. I don’t know how to feel walking up to the 18th green but I am really very happy. I always want him to see me win and I have done it now,” said Panuphol of his father.

Since coming through the Qualifying School in 2011, Panuphol has never finished outside the top-60 on the Order of Merit. His best season came in 2017 where he claimed his maiden Asian Tour title at the Indonesia Open in October before ending the year in 20th place on the money list with his total earnings of US$218,374.

“This means everything to me. This is my national trophy, my home course and this is where I practice. I’m very, very happy. I felt a bit of nerves coming down the stretch but I kept it cool and patient. I tried not to let the nerves affect my thinking, my game or feeling. I think I kept things under control pretty well.

“This win is a dream come true. It is always every Thai golfers dream to win their National Open. That win at the Indonesia Open taught me how to win a golf tournament. Today I tried to go back to what I felt in Indonesia and tried to do the same. It came out great,” he added.

The amiable Panuphol also sang his praises of his playing partner and compatriot Poom Saksansin, who matched his final day efforts with a 70 before settling for second place.

“Poom didn’t make it easy for me out there. He is one of the best golfers from Thailand and Asia. He beat Paul Casey at the EurAsia Cup earlier this year and it is like me playing in a match play against him. I didn’t push myself but he gave me a hard time out there,” Panuphol said.

Indian ace Shubhankar Sharma continues to lead the 2018 Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings with his current haul of US$589,575 while England’s Matt Wallace and India’s Rahil Gangjee, who came in tied-18th in Thailand, remain in second and third place respectively.

The Asian Tour will head to Korea next week for the Kolon Korea Open, a co-sanctioned event by the Asian Tour and the Korean Golf Association which is also part of The Open Qualifying Series.

Two spots will be awarded to the leading two players (not otherwise exempt) finishing in the top-eight and ties in the event, which will take place at the Woo Jeong Hills from June 21 to 24.

Top-20 players on the Habitat for Humanity Standings

Pos  Player  Order of Merit  (US$)

1. Shubhankar SHARMA (IND) $589,575

2. Matt WALLACE (ENG) $446,660

3. Rahil GANGJEE (IND) $286,346

4. Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) $265,573

5. Sihwan KIM (USA) $226,710

6. Paul PETERSON (USA) $215,758

7. Sanghyun PARK (KOR) $187,124

8. Scott VINCENT (ZIM) $152,816

9. Daniel NISBET (AUS) $151,883

10. Berry HENSON (USA) $141,363

11. Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) $132,402

12. Panuphol PITTAYARAT (THA) $129,874

13. Hideto TANIHARA (JPN) $123,306

14. Shaun NORRIS (RSA) $118,284

15. Jazz JANEWATTANANOND (THA) $116,204

16. Khalin JOSHI (IND) $111,140

17. Yikeun CHANG (KOR) $110,826

18. Prom MEESAWAT (THA) $108,742

19. Terry PILKADARIS (AUS) $105,907

20. Masahiro KAWAMURA (JPN) $101,463