The 21st edition of World Cup is all set to start in few hours. The biggest sporting carnival on the planet is all set to kick-start today at Luzhniki stadium.
The 2018 World Cup kicks off will start on Thursday, June 14 with an opening ceremony that will feature stars such as Robbie Williams, Ronaldo Nazario and local Russian star, soprano Aida Garifillinam.
The curtain raiser for the 2018 World Cup started at 3:30 pm (11:30 am in the U.S.), a half hour before the opening match between Russia and Saudi Arabia.
Host country Russia kick off the tournament against Group A rivals Saudi Arabia started at 4 pm (12 pm in the U.S.). Before that, there was a 30-minute celebration featuring English singer, Robbie Williams, and Russian soprano Aida, which FIFA has described as a musical extravaganza.
The master of ceremonies, former Real Madrid and Barcelona striker, Ronaldo Nazario of Brazil also attended the ceremony.
Robbie Williams, the former Take That star, who went solo and has had an incredibly successful career, performed during the opening ceremony.
CAPTION: Robbie Williams SOURCE: BBC Williams is very excited. "I am very happy and excited to return to Russia for such a unique performance," he said. "Opening the FIFA World Cup to 80,000 football fans in the stadium and to many millions around the world is a childhood dream," he continued. He says he wants to invite football and music fans to join together for the celebration and to tune their TV shows in a little early in order to catch the unforgettable show.
The host country, Russia, also had their representation. One of the most acclaimed voices in Russia, the soprano, Aida Garifullina, set to sing at the ceremony too. "I never imagined that I would be part of this huge party, the World Cup and that this would all happen in my own country," she said.
CAPTION: Russia President Vladimir Putin at the opening ceremony at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 14, 2018 SOURCE: Incorporated PakistanPrince Salman: What about those human rights everyone is talking about?
Infantino: I can tell you, but only for 25 billion euros .
Putin: You don’t need no human rights if you have money and FSB.#WorldCup2018 #Worldcup2018Russia #CoupeDuMonde2018 #WM18 pic.twitter.com/aKIM1snpV2
— Natalia (@dobsauce) June 15, 2018
Russian President Vladimir Putin has delivered his speech at the ceremony. FIFA's president also presented his speech at the ceremony.
