Russian midfielder Yuri Gazinskiy, front left, scored the opening goal in Russia’s 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia as the 2018 FIFA World Cup began on Thursday. (Alexander Nemenov/AFP/Getty Images)
For download: FIFA World Cup Prediction Challenge! 2018 Group Stage 06-14.pdf
Daily updates begin today, starting with group standings today, with full overall scoring once all teams have seen action. Articles are posted first at the Prediction Challenges web site, followed by e-mail distribution thereafter.
Speaking of money, I posted incorrect prize amounts earlier on Thursday (since corrected). Our winner will earn 45% of the $230 prize pool, or $103.50. Our prizes, as a table:
| Rank | Share | Prize |
| 1st | 45% | $ 103.50 |
| 2nd | 25% | $ 57.50 |
| 3rd | 15% | $ 34.50 |
| 4th | 10% | $ 23.00 |
| 5th | 5% | $ 11.50 |
