The World Cup is finally here, and it’s starting with what might be one of the least exciting match-ups you could possibly imagine: Russia vs. Saudi Arabia. Maybe it’ll be a goal-fest, great for the neutrals, and a fantastic opening for the 2018 tournament! But I kind of doubt it.
Still, here’s your open thread and how to watch.
The game and how to watch:
Russia vs. Saudi Arabia, 11:00 am ET, 4 pm BST
TV: FOX (USA) | ITV 1 (UK) | other listings on livesoccertv.com
Streaming: Fox Sports Go, Telemundo (USA - Spanish, available through NBC Sports Live app) | ITV Hub (UK) | fubo.tv (free trial)
Any Spurs players involved?
Nope!
How about former Spurs?
Zilch! Not a Roman Pavlyuchenko to be found, alas.
Any transfer targets or rival players I’m probably interested in?
We are literally not linked to anyone on either of these two teams, nor can I personally tell you much about them. According to our friends at SB Nation’s mothership, Aleksandr Kokorin is Russia’s best player after coming in third in scoring in this year’s Europa League. Saudi Arabia’s Mohammad Al-Sahlawi was joint-top scorer in AFC World Cup qualifying, so that’s something.
What cool things has SB Nation posted recently?
I’m glad you asked!
- The 2026 World Cup is coming to USA! (And Canada and Mexico too, I guess)
- Carty Free founder Kim McCauley writes about how this might be the last World Cup before everything changes.
- Need a team to follow? Answer some questions about food and this quiz will pick a team for you.
- Here’s the worst possible soccer team made from USA athletes in other sports.