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The bluffers guide to the 2018 World Cup: What you might not know about next year’s tournament

World Cup trophy (Dmitry RogulinTASS via Getty Images)
World Cup trophy (Dmitry RogulinTASS via Getty Images)

TODAY marks 200 days until kick-off in the 2018 World Cup.

Sadly, Scotland won’t be there after yet another failed qualifying campaign, but many Scots will be watching on TV as the world’s best square up in Russia.

If you want in on the action but don’t know much about the tournament, it’s time to start swotting up.

Here are ten facts to impress your friends with, courtesy of Bookie-bonus-code.co.uk.

 

Russia is the largest nation to host the World Cup

With a total area of 17.1million km², there isn’t going to be one bigger.

 

Iceland is the smallest populated country to reach the World Cup

The Nordic island, whose star player is Gylfi Sigurdsson, has a population of just 335,000.

 

Italy are missing out

This is the first World Cup in 60 years that the Azzurri haven’t qualified for, so Scotland have some company at least.

 

3,000,000 expected to attend matches

Around a third will have travelled from outside of Russia.

 

12 stadiums

Most are either new or redeveloped. Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow will hold the final, with a capacity of 81,000.

 

Brazil have played in every World Cup

They’re the only team to have played in every World Cup finals since its inception in 1930

 

$1,000,000,000 wagered last World Cup

Betting on 2018’s tournament is set to eclipse that amount.

 

No need for visas

For the tournament, fans will be able to travel into Russia without a visa.

 

It’s out of this world

The World Cup 2018 logo was revealed in space at the International Space Station.

 

No smoking… in the dressing rooms

FIFA has introduced a ban on smoking in the teams’ changing areas.