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World Cup final: When is it, how to watch and who's playing

The FIFA World Cup final is rapidly approaching, and although the Socceroos were knocked out in the group stage there will be many Aussies still tuning in.

France and Croatia will go head to head for the right to be crowned world champion.


Here's all the details you need to know on how to tune in and watch.

When is it?

You'll need to set the alarms pretty early for this one (or just stay up all night. Your choice).

The final will be played on Monday, July 16. Kick off is at 1:00am AEST.

If you fall asleep before 1:00am (or snooze through your alarm), it'll be replayed at 7:00am on SBS.

How to stream or tune in

On TV, SBS will be airing the final. Pre-game coverage begins at 11:00pm, Sunday July 15.

This means you can also watch the match later via SBS On Demand. You can also stream it live directly on the SBS website.

And, there's also SBS radio in digital and analogue for those who may be driving during the finale.

You can also sign up to Optus Sport and watch the final there.

Alright! Tell me a bit about France

One of the pre-tournament favourites has ended up where plenty of football pundits expected it would be — in the decider.

France went undefeated in the group stages (including a 2-1 victory over the Socceroos) then won a thrilling 4-3 last 16 clash against Argentina.

Les Bleus weren't really troubled after that as they marched over Uruguay and Belgium to book their spot in the final.

Want to sound like a expert at your World Cup final party? You'll want to talk a lot about 19-year-old French phenom Kylian Mbappe.

Spoiler: He's good. REALLY good.

France is the deserved favourite heading into the final.

How about Croatia?

The Croatians came into the tournament with the dark horse label. They'll head into the final with the dark horse label.

While all the attention was on England in their half of the draw, the Vatreni kept their cool to win back-to-back penalty shootouts against Denmark and Russia before sending the Three Lions (but not football) home.

The nation with a population of just over 4 million has won through to its first ever World Cup final.

Keep an eye on star midfielder Luka Modric (probably the winner of the Golden Ball for player of the tournament according to our experts), who'll need to fire if Croatia is going to upset France.

Absolute underdogs, but this has been a tournament made for the underdogs.

Where will it be held?

The finale will take place in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

The stadium was the main arena of the Olympic Games in 1980 and hosted the opening and closing ceremonies.

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