The Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) released the schedule for the 2018 FIL Men's World Championship to the competing nations this week and the United States will open its schedule against the Iroquois Nationals on Thursday, July 12. This year's event will be held in Netanya, Israel and will feature a record 48 nations competing in the field.
Hong Kong and Luxembourg will play in the first game of the event on July 11, but the first full day of games will be July 12 and will feature opening ceremonies in Netanya Stadium followed by a doubleheader with Israel playing Jamaica and the U.S. - Iroquois game.
The U.S., coming off a silver medal finish in 2014, will play five pool play games before bracket play begins. Following an off day after the Iroquois game, the U.S. will play Australia, Canada, Scotland and England on consecutive days. The top four teams from the Blue Division advance to the championship round, with the top two receiving byes to the semifinals.
United States World Championship Schedule
Thursday, July 12: vs. Iroquois Nationals, 8:30 p.m. (Netanya Stadium)
Saturday, July 14: vs. Australia, 2:30 p.m. (Wingate Institute, Field 1)
Sunday, July 15: vs. Canada, 7 p.m. (Wingate Institute, Field 1)
Monday, July 16: vs. Scotland, 9:45 p.m. (Wingate Institute, Field 4)
Tuesday, July 17: vs. England, 6 p.m. (Wingate Institute, Field 1)
Wednesday, July 18: Quarterfinals (Blue Division 3rd and 4th place vs. qualifiers), 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. (Wingate Institute, Field 1)
Thursday, July 19: Semifinals (Blue Division 1st and 2nd place vs. quarterfinal winners), 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. (Wingate Institute, Field 1)
Saturday, July 21: Championship, 10 a.m. (Netanya Stadium)
* - Times are local in Netanya, Israel
Here's a full list of the teams competing this year (listed in seed order in each division)
Blue Division
Canada
United States
Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Nationals)
Australia
England
Scotland
Red Division
Israel
Russia
Jamaica
White Division
Japan
Uganda
Bulgaria
Green Division
Germany
Korea
France
Yellow Division
Ireland
China
Denmark
Orange Division
Sweden
Argentina
Hungary
Plum Division
New Zealand
Spain
Croatia
Turquoise Division
Finland
Austria
Colombia
Grey Division
Czech Republic
Belgium
Phillipines
Gold Division
Switzerland
Slovakia
Taiwan
Platinum Division
Netherlands
Norway
Haiti
Bronze Division
Wales
Bermuda
Puerto Rico
Tan Division
Italy
Turkey
Peru
Purple Division
Latvia
Mexico
Greece
Olive Division
Poland
Hong Kong
Luxembourg