British pop star set for World Cup opening ceremony

British pop star Robbie Williams will hit the stage at the 2018 FIFA World Cup's opening ceremony, FIFA said Monday on its website.

World football's governing body said Williams will entertain the crowd at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow before the opening match of the tournament.

"I'm so happy and excited to be going back to Russia for such a unique performance. I've done a lot in my career, and opening the FIFA World Cup to 80,000 football fans in the stadium and many millions all over the world is a boyhood dream", Williams said.

"We'd like to invite football and music fans to party with us in Russia, in the stadium, or to tune in their TVs a little earlier for an unforgettable show", he said.

Williams will be joined by Brazil's two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo and Russian operatic soprano Aida Garifullina.

The world's top-tier football contest will kick off on June 14, Thursday, with hosts Russia taking on Saudi Arabia in Group A match and 32 teams in eight groups will fight for claiming the World Cup.