NEW FIFA World Cup 2018 opening ceremony | آلبوم عکس و تصاویر

Lots of expectant eyes focus on the pitch as the ceremony prepares to get under way Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images ...

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

At half-time there’s no sign of a pie or a mug of Bovril as Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, the Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman and other guests have a bite to eat. Photograph: Alexey Druzhinin/AFP/Getty Images ...

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 Ronaldo Photograph: Sergei Bobylev/TASS/Getty Images ...

Russian soprano Aida Garifullina enters the field on a giant bird and joins in. Photograph: Valery Sharifulin/TASS/Getty Images ...

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 match. Photograph: Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images ...

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/AP ...

Russia President Vladimir Putin at the opening ceremony at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 14, 2018/REUTERS ...

Russia fans pose as they wait for the start of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group A football match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 14, 2018/AFP ...

Saudi Arabia fans wait for the start of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group A football match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 14, 2018/AFP ...

Actors perform during the opening ceremony before the Russia 2018 World Cup Group A football match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 14, 2018/AFP ...

Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas waves next to the World Cup trophy during the opening ceremony before the Russia 2018 World Cup Group A football match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 14, 2018/AFP ...

English singer Robbie Williams ...

آلبوم عکس افتتاحیه جام جهانی روسیه 2018 ...

English singer Robbie Williams (C) performs during the Opening Ceremony before the Russia 2018 World Cup Group A football match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 14, 2018/AFP ...

Fans stream past the statue of Lenin as they make their way into Luzhniki stadium. Photograph: Felipe Dana/AP ...