Lots of expectant eyes focus on the pitch as the ceremony prepares to get under way Photograph: Rya ..

The host nation’s fans could hardly have dreamt of a better start Photograph: Matthias Hangst/Get ..

At half-time there’s no sign of a pie or a mug of Bovril as Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, ..

Fans cheer as the game – and tournament – gets underway Photograph: Felipe Dana/AP ..

Garifullina is joined by the 2018 World Cup mascot, Zabivaka, and legendary Brazilian footballer Ron ..

Russian soprano Aida Garifullina enters the field on a giant bird and joins in. Photograph: Valery ..

And a juggler proves to be a crowd pleaser too. Photograph: Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP/Getty Images ..

Artists wear the colours of Russia and Saudi Arabia, the two teams who will compete in the opening m ..

Artists perform in the centre circle. Photograph: Lars Baron/FIFA via Getty Images ..

Performers take to the pitch. Photograph: Sergei Bobylev/TASS/Getty Images ..

Rigobert Youmbi from Cameroon is pretty excited about the tournament. Photograph: Rebecca Blackwell ..

Russia President Vladimir Putin at the opening ceremony at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 14 ..

Russia fans pose as they wait for the start of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group A football match betw ..

Saudi Arabia fans wait for the start of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group A football match between Rus ..

Actors perform during the opening ceremony before the Russia 2018 World Cup Group A football match b ..