Hosts Russia lowest-ranked among 32 teams at 2018 World Cup
Russia, who are hosting FIFA World Cup for the first time, are the lowest-ranked team among the 32 nations participating in the 2018 edition. Russia are currently ranked 70th and they will face the second-lowest ranked team, Saudi Arabia (67th), in the opener of the 32-day tournament. Defending champions Germany will start the quadrennial tournament as the top-ranked team.