Russia declared the soccer World Cup open on Thursday at a glitzy ceremony in Moscow headlined by British pop star Robbie Williams and Russian soprano Aida Garifullina.
The 15-minute show produced by Russia's state Channel One broke from World Cup tradition, focusing on musical acts including a performance of Pyotr Tchaikovsky in front of full stands at the capital's main Luzhniki stadium.
This year's opening ceremony took place just half hour before the opening match, with a stronger focus on musical acts. Some 80,000 fans are expected to be in attendance while millions more will watch the live broadcast around the world.
Here are the highlights of FIFA World Cup 2018 opening ceremony:
# The opening ceremony begun with a montage of what Russia is all about and a kid playing football through the iconic places in the country.
# Spain legend Iker Casillas and Russian supermodel Natalia Vodianova brought the World Cup trophy out onto the pitch.
# Ronaldo (the original one) walked out onto the pitch accompanied with World Cup 2018 mascot.
# Robbie Williams then started the muscial act his hit single "Let me entertain you".
# Russian singer Aida Garifullina came out onto the pitch on the back of a huge firebird as dancers and performers let bird-kites fly.
# Williams and Garifullina performed a duet of Williams hit single "Angels".
# Williams managed to 'flip the bird' on camera during one of his song.
# The official match ball was brought on the field. There was a funny moment as Ronaldo tried to pass the ball to the mascot in ceremonial 'first kick'. The kid with Ronaldo passed the ball first and he almost tripped over.
# Russian president Vladimir Putin declared the World Cup open after a glittering opening ceremony on Thursday. Putin welcomed all present to “the planet’s biggest football tournament” and in his long speech, talked about the great power of football.
# FIFA president Gianni Infantino spoke in Russian. He looked surprised when people once started laughing at what he was saying.
# The opening match between Russia and Saudi Arabia started after national anthems of both teams.
