Russia declares World Cup open after glitzy show
MOSCOW - 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.
Iker Casillas and Russian supermodel and philanthropist Natalia Vodianova brought the World Cup trophy onto the pitch in a Louis Vuitton travel case.
Robbie Williams performed hits "Let Me Entertain You" and "Rock DJ" accompanied by dancers and freestylers.
He was joined in a duet by Garifullina, a soloist from the Vienna State Opera, who entered the pitch on a firebird, singing Williams' hit song "Angels".
The opening ceremony was due to be followed by a match between the host team and Saudi Arabia.
Reuters
Most Popular
- Nearly 3,800 runners compete in 2026 Mt. Gaoligong Ultra in Yunnan
- Changchun unveils mascots and more for the 2027 Winter Universiade
- Thousands of cherry blossoms, crabapples line upcoming Wuhan Marathon route
- Chinese F1 fans join global slipstream
- Hainan looks to capitalize on the DP World Tour's return to China
- DP World Tour Hainan Classic tees off with 120 players from 27 countries and regions
