After much wait, the FIFA World Cup 2018 will finally 'kick off' on Thursday, as the host Russia will face Saudi Arabia following an opening ceremony at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.

The grand football event will have 32 teams, including holders Germany, competing in 64 games over 32 days. The 21st edition will be played out in 12 stadiums, across 11 cities, spread over 1,800 miles. The opening match between the host Russia and Saudi Arabia will kick off at 8:00 PM PST while opening ceremony will begin at 6:00 PM PST.

Germany, who defeated Argentina in the 2014 final, are looking to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since 1962, while Brazil seek a record-extending sixth world title.

The month-long tournament is expected to attract one and a half million fans to Russia and an estimated global television audience of over three billion viewers.

The teams are divided into eight groups, with the top two advancing to the last 16. The final will take place at the 81,000-capacity Luzhniki Stadium on July 15.

World Cup holders Germany, five-time winners Brazil, Euro 2016 winners Portugal, 2014 runners-up Argentina, Belgium, Poland and 1998 winners France are among the eight seeded teams.

Hosts Russia are also seeded, even though they are the tournament's lowest-placed team - 70th - in FIFA's world rankings.

So with only a few hours remaining for the mega tournament to kick off, let’s see who will take the trophy home.