Nice balanced groups, probably because several strong football nations didn't qualify at all (Italy, Netherlands, USA, Chile, Ivory Coast).
Russia should qualify from 2nd spot although with us you never know. Our best achievement in modern history was when we got the toughest group, at Euro-2008. We failed miserably to pass the group stage each time when we've got a weak one. See WC-2002/2010, Euro-2012/2016.
Excited with England - Belgium clash and really want to see it, but sadly it will be held in Kaliningrad, at Thursday.
I still didn't buy any tickets because the draw wasn't held and the first stage of ticket sell was the lottery, a blind one, only for Russians (about £15 for the ticket, the place of which is in the worst section of each stadium). You couldn't even be sure to buy several near tickets for you and your friends also. Now the prices are at least 5 times higher, but the sections are better and we know the schedule.
I understand why lots of people doubt and fear how the WC will be held (especially remembering events organised by drunk English fans and Russian thugs, who have nothing common with proper football supporting, at last euros), but I suppose the safety of everything will be at the highest level. Putin will want to lift his image up with the help of another huge sport event - in the eyes of Russian citizens and of the world community itself.
My fast top 5 of cities to visit will be:
1. St. Petersburg ("Russian Venice" with unique architecture; cultural and club capital of Russia)
2. Moscow (the most modern, fully European level capital with great transport infrastructure; lots of things to do and to see; becomes better and better day after day under current major)
3. Kaliningrad (the most European look-a-like city; reminds of Baltian countries, Czech Republic and Germany a bit)
4. Kazan (muslim capital city of Russia, although a safe one; very beautiful architecture and many places to visit)
5. Sochi (has a Black Sea beside, where you can swim (not the best of the seas tbf lol) and overall a fully modified city with best amount of sport activities).
But still each city is unique and will be interesting to visit, maybe except of Saransk.
The weather in central part of the country usually is great in late June/July. Not very hot and usually sunny, 20-25 degrees. In Rostov-na-Donu and Sochi warmer of course.
If anybody has any questions about tournament/cities/country itself, feel free to ask.
I'm also going to make a more informative mini-guide on forum for all who'll decide to travel, at late spring.