# Talk:2018 FIFA World Cup final

What exactly is the point of a background section if it only summarizes decades-old achievements by the finalists, rather than explaining how the tournament ended up with these two finalists (beyond just their matches). At minimum, an explanation for why the defending champion or one of the "top-rated" teams aren't here is warranted, given that this article will likely be the first landing spot for readers coming from the Main Page after 15 July. SounderBruce 03:08, 11 July 2018 (UTC)

There's no reason to expect that the defending champions would return to the final - that info is better suited to being included in the 2018 FIFA World Cup article as a summary of the entire tournament. This article should be kept to info about the final itself and the teams that actually did make it. – PeeJay 10:28, 11 July 2018 (UTC)
Agreed, that information should be included in a general tournament summary on 2018 FIFA World Cup, this article should only be focused on the final. S.A. Julio (talk) 15:48, 11 July 2018 (UTC)
Based on the general audience we'll get, especially those who don't have as much knowledge about the sport, we should state the obvious by providing tournament details. In most sporting competitions, it is reasonable to expect the defending champion to perform well...the World Cup is just a wild exception (and only in recent years). SounderBruce 17:51, 11 July 2018 (UTC)
Maybe so, but that's what we have 2018 FIFA World Cup and all its supplementary articles for. – PeeJay 22:11, 11 July 2018 (UTC)
And the route to the final is also summarized by the main article and its supplements. Doesn't mean it isn't worth including. SounderBruce 23:37, 11 July 2018 (UTC)
The route to the final is relevant because it relates directly to the teams that are contesting the match. There's no reason to expect that any one team in particular will make it to the final, so mentioning not only the fact that Germany failed to reach the final but also that the Netherlands and Italy didn't even qualify for the finals is a step too far. – PeeJay 00:50, 12 July 2018 (UTC)
Yeah, the defending champion thing is just weird. In a large number of sports, it's hardly surprising if the defending champion does not make it to the final. For example, even in the Rugby World Cup, this only happened in 2003, 2007 and 2015 or 3 out of the 8 finals so far, or 7 opportunities. (Hopefully it'll be 101 out of 106/105 in a few centuries, but I digress.) And rugby (union) has far fewer teams able to compete at a top level, only 5 different teams have ever made it to the final! Expecting someone to perform well is quite different from expecting them to make it all the way to the final. Nil Einne (talk) 21:59, 15 July 2018 (UTC)

203.170.25.6 (talk) 16:03, 12 July 2018 (UTC)

This is second World Cup final after 2010 not to feature atleast one Brazil, Italy, Germany and Agrentina and the first ever where these 4 have not made it even to the semi finals

 Not done: it's not clear what changes you want to be made. Please mention the specific changes in a "change X to Y" format and provide a reliable source if appropriate. Hhkohh (talk) 16:05, 12 July 2018 (UTC)

Could somebody have a look at this template please? Right now it's just linking arbitrarily to all world cups and euros since 1998, regardless if the year held any significance for Croatia or not. Looking at how the French box is done, I guess it should just be listing this match for the world cup, and nothing for the euros? EditorInTheRye (talk) 10:34, 15 July 2018 (UTC)

France have a dedicated match template, this is only Croatia's third notable match. "World Cup Finals" refers to the number of tournaments they've participated in, the actual matches are listed under "notable matches". S.A. Julio (talk) 13:13, 15 July 2018 (UTC)

Per FIFA minutes. Fix.--79.26.106.190 (talk) 17:15, 15 July 2018 (UTC)

Finally  Done.--79.26.106.190 (talk) 18:32, 15 July 2018 (UTC)
Ops, Pjaca is a FW for FIFA pdf.--79.26.106.190 (talk) 19:19, 15 July 2018 (UTC)
 Fixed S.A. Julio (talk) 19:22, 15 July 2018 (UTC)

Is this the first time in World Cup history that the awarding ceremony was held under a pouring rain? If yes, perhaps it deserves a mention in the Post-Match section. --46.242.13.234 (talk) 21:03, 15 July 2018 (UTC)
̽* I also noticed this thing just at the conclusion of the match where the post match presentation underwent under heavy rains after France's victory in the tournament after a lapse of 20 years. But I don't think it is relevant to add this note to the article unless it is sourced by somebody else. Abishe (talk) 07:44, 16 July 2018 (UTC)
BTW a lot of European press covered how the personnel brought an umbrella to protect Putin, but not the other two presidents: [www.google.com/search?q=putin+umbrella+final&tbm=nws]. Ain92 (talk) 11:09, 16 July 2018 (UTC)

Locbinbo (talk) 09:30, 16 July 2018 (UTC) man of the match is Kylian Mbappe

 Not done: please provide reliable sources that support the change you want to be made. Danski454 (talk) 09:32, 16 July 2018 (UTC)

The proper viewership numbers from FIFA won't be available for a few months, based on when they've published viewership reports in tournaments past, but the information will still need to be presented in this article. Feel free to drop viewership numbers for major countries in the list below. SounderBruce 06:19, 17 July 2018 (UTC)

France (TF1): 19.3 to 22.3 million, plus 1.2 million streamers (Variety)
United Kingdom (BBC and ITV): 35.7 million (Irish Independent/PA)
United States (FOX): 11.824 million (Fox Sports)
United States, Spanish (Telemundo): TBA
Also needed are some figures for 30-second advertising slots, which should be more readily available.

United States (FOX): ~$400,000 to $476,000 (MediaPost)
@SounderBruce: I added the broadcast numbers for some countries — most backed up with proper, reliable references — with this edit; but, better references are needed for Canada and Russia, I used {{cite press release}} for the former and FourFourTwo Australia's article quoting Sputnik News for the latter; but, there's a lot of room to improve there. Honestly, I didn't think of the advertising spots thing, but it's a brilliant idea, if I recall correctly, a Variety article about TV ratings in France did delve into advertising spot numbers, so, that — in addition to the US numbers — is a good start. Regards, SshibumXZ (Talk) (Contributions). 12:24, 20 July 2018 (UTC)

The article is talking about Griezmann possible dive, but no mention to the free kick for Croatia that resulted the first goal was also rewarded after a dive of which also N'Golo Kanté got a yellow card.  — Preceding unsigned comment added by 41.254.5.87 (talk) 19:16, 19 July 2018 (UTC) 

The match was played during quite a lot of thunder and lightning, in both halves. Although admittedly the heavy rain didn't come until the ceremony, but I think changing it to 'thunderstorm' would be more accurate.  — Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.21.71.198 (talk) 18:07, 3 September 2018 (UTC) 

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