

Systems are in place for communicating VAR-related information to broadcasters and visuals on stadiums' large screens are used for the fans in attendance. VAR operations for all games are operating from a single headquarters in Moscow, which receives live video of the games and are in radio contact with the on-field referees. Shortly after the 's decision to incorporate (VARs) into the, on 16 March 2018, the took the much-anticipated step of approving the use of VAR for the first time in a FIFA World Cup tournament. VAR in use in during the Group D match between Nigeria and Iceland, at Volgograd. Notable countries that failed to qualify include four-time champions (for the first time since 1958), three-time runners-up and third placed in 2014 the (for the first time since 2002), and four reigning continental champions: winners, two-time champions and runners-up, winners, and champions (for the first time since 1986).įor players named in the 35-player preliminary squad, there was a mandatory rest period between 21 and, except for those involved in the played on 26 May. It is the first time three (Denmark, Iceland and Sweden) and four (Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia) have qualified for the World Cup. Other teams returning after absences of at least three tournaments include: Egypt, returning to the finals after their last appearance in 1990 Morocco, who last competed in 1998 Peru, returning after 1982 and Senegal, competing for the second time after reaching the quarter-finals in 2002. Both Iceland and Panama qualified for the first time, with the former becoming the to reach the World Cup. Of the 32 nations qualified to play at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, 20 countries competed at the previous tournament in. The first qualification game, between and, began in on 12 March 2015 as part of the, and the main qualifying draw took place at the Konstantinovsky Palace in, on 25 July 2015.

Because of the controversy, the FA refused to accept Eckert's absolving of Russia from blame, with calling for a re-examination of the affair and calling for a boycott of the World Cup. Eckert instead released a shorter revised summary, and his (and therefore FIFA's) reluctance to publish the full report caused Garcia to resign in protest. The 2014, an internal investigation led by, was withheld from public release by, FIFA's head of adjudication on ethical matters. They claimed that four members of the executive committee had requested bribes to vote for England, and had said that it had already been arranged before the vote that Russia would win. The voting results were as follows: 2018 FIFA bidding (majority 12 votes) Bidders Votes Round 1 Round 2 Russia 9 13 Portugal / Spain 7 7 Belgium / Netherlands 4 2 England 2 Eliminated Criticism The English and others raised concerns of bribery on the part of the Russian team and corruption from FIFA members. England, which was bidding to host its second tournament, was eliminated in the first round.
