News
Moscow turns into sea of color as Russia prepares for World Cup kick-off (VIDEOS)
Thousands of football fans have been pouring onto the streets of the Russian capital ahead of the opening of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The Russian team open the tournament against Saudi Arabia at Moscow’s 80,000-seater Luzhniki Stadium today at 6pm local time (15:00 GMT), starting a month-long festival of football involving 32 nations.
The opening ceremony will be held before the game, showcasing Russian culture, with more than 20 heads of state in attendance along with numerous other dignitaries and legends of the game.
Ahead of the big kick-off, thousands of fans have been arriving in the host cities. Moscow, in particular, has been a sea of color as fans take to the streets in anticipation of football’s showpiece event.
Russia has been preparing for the World Cup since it was awarded hosting rights in 2010. It has spent in the region of $14 billion on new infrastructure and stadiums in preparation for what will be the biggest sporting event the nation has ever seen.
A total of 64 games will be played at 12 stadiums across 11 host cities – stretching from the western exclave of Kaliningrad to Ekaterinburg in the Urals.
Defending champions Germany are again among the favorites to win the tournament, although they are expected to face strong competition from five-time winners Brazil.
Two-time winners Argentina and one-time winners France and Spain are also among those fancied to lift the World Cup this summer.
The final takes place at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on July 15.