731) 2018 "Federation Internationale de Football Association" (FIFA) World Cup being held in Russia between 14.06.2018 and 15.07.2018: Some Coins and Stamps issued by Russia, Australia, Hungary, Spain & France to commemorate the Tournament/Championship :

731) 2018 "Federation Internationale de Football Association" (FIFA) World Cup  being held in Russia between 14.06.2018 and 15.07.2018: Some Coins and Stamps issued by Russia, Australia, Hungary, Spain & France to commemorate the Tournament/Championship :

For a live-streaming experience of the 64 action-packed games in the 2018 World Cup, please click on the following link for a streaming guide and infographic:

https://www.expressvpn.com/stream-sports/world-cup/

For the 2014 FIFA World Cup held in Brazil, please visit the following link:

2014 "Federation Internationale de Football Association" (FIFA) World Cup, held in Brazil: A set of four stamps issued by India Post to commemorate the Tournament

Football is by far the world's most popular sport, a hobby. profession, business and entertainment - all at one and the same time. It works up emotions as all the viewers have an opinion about it, a favourite team and favourite players.

The World Cup or FIFA World Cup is an imternational football competition that takes place every four years. FIFA is the governing body of Football, founded in May 1928 in Paris, France in 1928 with seven original members - Belgium, Denmark, France, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and The Netherlands. The Association is headquartered in Zurich and is governed by Swiss Law. Presently, participation is open to all football federations/countries recognised by FIFA. 

The competition has been played once every four years since the inaugural tournament played in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946 when it was not held because of the Second World War. It resumed in 1950, when the competition was held in Brazil.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia is the 21st FIFA World Cup, and while, several countries have their own national teams (there are presently national teams of 209 member associations out of a total of 211 current FIFA affiliates) , only 32 of the worlds best teams will finally get to participate/compete for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The original concept of bringing the world's strongest teams together in a tournament to compete for the title of World Champions was mooted by Jules Rimet.

This is also the first time that the World Cup is being held in Russia in its entire history. 

All the 64 matches will be played in 12 stadiums in 11 Russian cities. The Final match will take place on 15.07.2018 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

As per tradition, the hosts automatically take part, while the other teams, including the champions -Germany - have to win the right to participate by playing in the qualifiers.

The 32 qualifying teams have been divided into 8 groups (A-H) with each group comprising of four teams as under:

Group A: Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uruguay

Group B: Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Iran

Group C: France, Australia, Peru, Denmark

Group D: Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria

Group E: Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia

Group F: Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea

Group G: Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England

Group H: Poland, Senegal, Colombia, Japan

The FIFA World Cup final match is traditionally one of the most watched sporting events in the world. With over 3 billion viewers having watched the games in 2014, this year's viewership/audience size and interest levels are expected to grow exponentially, with several streaming options now available to viewers online. 

Till date, 8 countries have won the trophy in the 20 finals played to date, with Brazil having lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy the most number of times - on 5 occasions.

Several  countries have issued stamps and coins to commemorate the 2018 FIFA World Cup being held in Russia, some of which are:

1 (a) 2018 FIFA World Cup stamps issued by Russia:

The USSR has been a member of FIFA since 25.06.1946.

It has been participating in FIFA tournaments since the 6th edition of the FIFA World Cup held in Sweden in 1958. Russia has qualified for the World Cup 10 times.

As the host nation of the World Cup for the first time, Russia has released 6 commemorative stamps, which has been issued by the Joint-Stock Company/FSUE "Marka" Publishing and Trading Centre. 

This elegant set of six stamps released by FSUE "Marka Publishing and Trading Centre depicts Soviet stamps issued in 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1982, 1986  showcasing Russian players in various modes of play and the official trophy of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.

The technical specifications of these stamps are:

Face value: 26.50 RUBLES each;

Size of Stamps: 50 mm x 50.0 mm each;

Size of Souvenir Sheet: 170 mm x 120 mm; Sheet has illustrated margins with 6 (3 x 2) stamps;

No of stamps/Souvenir sheets issued: 200,000 stamps (each) contained in 200,000 Souvenir sheets;

An illustrated cover with postage stamps and  First Day Cover with a special cancellation of Moscow Head Post Office inside is also being released.

1 (b): A 100 Ruble Polymer Banknote issued by the Bank of Russia:

The 100 Ruble Polymer Banknote Front placed against the Back of the Banknote showing a background image of a football in the shape of the Globe, symbolising the global appeal of the game of Football

The Front of the 100 Ruble Polymer Banknote symbolises the link between generations - a boy holding a ball is dreaming to repeat the achievements of great players like Lev Yashin, a Soviet era goal-keeper from 1950 to 1970 who is widely considered to be the greatest ever to play in that position.

The Back of the 100 Ruble Polymer Banknote shows a stylised image of a globe in the form of a football with a colour map of Russia outlined on it. Below the Ball, in typography meant to show the ball's movement, are the names of the cities hosting the matches.

At the top are silhouettes of football fans in the colours of the Russian flag.

Upto 20.4 million of the vertically oriented, 155 mm x 65 mm Banknotes in blue, green, yellow and red colours will be issued.

This is the first polymer Banknote ever issued by the Bank of Russia. The use of polymer substrate has permitted visual security features that can be examined from both sides/faces of the Banknote, including a transparent window with a holographic element inside.

2) Royal Australian Mint issues - A 25 (AUD)  Gold (Proof) Coin  and a 1 (AUD) Silver Proof Coin:

The Royal Australian Mint too has brought out these beautiful gold and silver coins which are bound to capture one's eye:

The Reverse of the 25 Dollars (AUD) Gold Coin shows a pattern of alternating footballs and kangaroos on the periphery. On the bottom is an engraving of the World Cup trophy with rays of light emanating from it, symbolising universal popularity/appeal of the game of football. On the top centre is mentioned the denomination of the coin " 25 DOLLARS", below which is mentioned "2018 FIFA WORLD CUP RUSSIA". The weight and metal composition of the coin "1 Oz .9999 Au" (Gold) is mentioned further below.

On the Obverse of the 25 Dollars (AUD) Gold Coin is depicted an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II with the initials of the effigy designer "IRB" (standing for Ian Rank-Broadley) appearing below the Queen's neck. 

The peripheral inscriptions read - "ELIZABETH II. AUSTRALIA 2018".

The specifications of this coin are:

Denomination: 25 Dollars (AUD); Metal Composition: .9999 fineness Gold (Au); Diameter/Size: 21.69 mm; Weight/Mass: 1/4 Oz ; Coin Quality: Proof; Mint: Royal Australian Mint; Year: 2018; Mintage: 3,000 pieces. 

The Reverse of the 1 Dollar (AUD) Silver Coin shows the same pattern/design as the Gold variant of this issue. 

The denomination of this coin is mentioned as "1 DOLLAR" on the upper side of the coin. The weight and metal composition of the coin is mentioned further below as - "1 Oz .999 Ag" (Silver).

The Obverse of the 1 Dollar (AUD) Silver Coin is identical to the Gold variant of this issue.

The specifications of this coin are:

Denomination: 1 Dollar (AUD); Metal Composition: .999 fineness Silver (Ag); Diameter/Size: 40.0 mm; Weight/Mass: 1 Oz; Coin Quality: Proof; Mint: Royal Australian Mint; Year: 2018; Mintage: 30,000 pieces.

3) A Special Stamp issued by Magyar Post, Hungary to mark the 2018 FIFA World Cup:

Hungary has reached the final of the FIFA World Cup twice - in 1938 and 1954- and finished runners-up on both occasions.

Magyar Post has released a special stamp to mark the 2018 FIFA World Cup, on 25.05.2018. The official logo of the 2018 FIFA World Cup appears on stamps, stamp sheet, cover and post-mark. 

The specifications of this stamp are:

Issue Date: 25.05.2018;

Designer: Orsolya Kara;

No of stamps issued: 100,000 pieces;

Printer: ANY Biztonsagi Nyomda Nyrt;

Process: Wet Offset;

Colours: 4;

Size: 40 mm x 30 mm;

Stamp value: HUF 385

Stamp arrangement in the Full Sheet: 

In the Full sheet of 50 Stamps each, the stamps are arranged in a "tete-beche" format, i.e. in pairs with one stamp upside-down in relation to the other:               

The main motif of the 385 Forint stamp  sheet is a football positioned over two adjoining stamps, thus creating a whole ball, with the colours symbolising the flag of the host nation in the background.

The individual Stamp issued by Magyar Post on the occasion

                      The First Day Cover issued on the occasion

4) Spain: Two coins issued by the Spanish Royal Mint in the denominations of 2 Escudos Gold Coin and 8 Reales Silver coin:

The Spanish Royal Mint has issued the following coins to mark the 2018 FIFA World Cup:

The Obverse and Reverse images of the 100 Euro or 2 Escudo Gold Coin

The Obverse of the 100 Euros or 2 Escudo Gold Coin shows an effigy of King Filipe VI facing left, wearing the badges of Captain General. The power peripheral inscription read -" COPA MUNDIAL DE LA FIFA RUSSIA".

The Reverse of the 100 Euro or 2 Escudo Gold Coin is seen against a backdrop of waving lines in the likeness of the Spanish flag flag, a large image of a football. On the upper half on the coin are seen freeze frame images of a player in action, handling and kicking a football.

At lower left in engraved the official emblem of the Spanish National Football Team.

The specifications of this coin are:

Denomination: 100 Euros or 2 Escudo; Metal Composition: .999 fineness Gold (Au); Diameter: 23.0 mm; Weight: 6.75 grams; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage: 3,000 pieces; Mint: Spanish Royal Mint; Year of issue: 2017.

The Obverse and Reverse images of the 10 Euro Silver coin

The design and engravings are similar to the 100 Euro gold coin shown further above.

The specifications of this coin are:

Denomination: 10 Euros or 8 Reales; Metal Composition: .925 fineness Silver (Ag); Diameter/Size: 40.0 mm; Weight: 27.0 grams; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage: 50,000 pieces; Mint: Royal Spanish Mint; Year of issue: 2017.

5) France: Four Gold coins in the denominations of 5, 50, 200 and 500 Euros and a Silver variant of 10 Euros issued by the Monnaie de Paris, France: 

A Representative Gold Coin (both Obverse & Reverse) issued by the Monnaie de Paris placed against a background of a stylised image of the 2018 FIFA World Cup- Russia. Some of these designs are contained in the coin-set

As mentioned before, the World Cup was conceived in 1928 in France. As such, the Monnaie de Paris ( the Paris Mint) has also pitched in with an issue of Gold and Silver coins which it has designed as a collection that pays tribute to football and to the competition:

The Obverse of the 5 Euro Gold Coin depicts the FIFA World Cup trophy below which is the inscription - " FIFA WORLD CUP RUSSIA 2018". Around the periphery surrounding the trophy are several symbols from football and Russian culture.

On the Reverse of the 5 Euro Gold Coin are depicted a player kicking the ball. In the background are seen Russian cathedral onion domed roofs as well as graphic images/elements from Russian culture.

The peripheral inscription reads - " COUP DU MONDE LA FIFA".

The specifications of the 5 Euro Gold Coin are:

Metal Composition: .999 fineness Gold (Or/Au); Year of issue: 2018; Weight: 0.500 grams; Coin  Quality: Proof; Mintage: 5,000 pieces; Mint: Monnaie de Paris.

On the Obverse of the 50 Euro Gold Coin the design and inscription are similar to the one seen on the 5 Euros Gold Coin.

On the Reverse of the 50 Euro Gold Coin is again a design & inscriptions similar to the one seen on the above 5 Euro Gold Coin.

Also seen on this face is the cornucopia (Horn of Plenty) mint mark of the Monnaie de Paris Mint.

The specifications of the  50 Euro Gold Coin are:

Metal Composition: .999 fineness Gold (Or/Au); Year of issue: 2018; Weight: 7.78 grams; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage: 3,000 pieces; Mint: Monnaie de Paris.

The Obverse of the 200 Euro Gold Coin exhibits a similar design and inscription as seen in the other two Gold Coins.

On the Reverse of the 200 Euro Gold Coin are seen a design and inscription similar to the one on the Gold Coins shown above.

The specifications of the 200 Euro Gold Coin are:

Metal Composition: .999 fineness Gold (Or/Au); Year of issue: 2018; Diameter: 37.0 mm; Weight: 31.104 grams; Coin Quality: Proof; Denomination: 200 Euro; Mint: Monnaie de Paris; Mintage: 500 pieces.

On the Obverse of the 500 Euro Gold coin is seen a design and inscription identical to the other coins in this set.

The Reverse of the 500 Euro Gold Coin too exhibits a similar design and inscriptions common to the set.

The specifications of the 500 Euro Gold coin are:

Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Gold (Or/Ag); Year of issue: 2018; Diameter/Size: 50.0 mm; Weight: 155.5 grams; Coin Quality: Proof; Denomination: 500 Euro; Mintage: 99 pieces; Mint: Monnaie de Paris.

The Obverse of the Silver 10 Euro Coin exhibits a similar design and inscription engraved on the other coins in the set

The Reverse of the 10 Euro Silver Coin is identical to the other coins released in this set.

The specifications of this coin are:

Metal Composition: .900 fineness Silver (Ag); Diameter/Size : 37.0 mm; Weight: 22.200 grams; Coin Quality: Proof; Denomination: 10 Euro; Mintage: 50,000 pieces; Mint: Monnaie de Paris.