Brazilian football great Ronaldo and British pop star Robbie Williams will participate in Thursday's World Cup opening ceremony before the first match between hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia, FIFA announced on Monday. Russian soprano Aida Garifullina will also take part in a revamped version of the traditional pre-tournament extravaganza at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, football's governing body said in a statement, reports Xinhua news agency.

"The opening match is always a very symbolic one - it is that instant when you realize that the big moment you, as a player or fan, have been waiting for four years has finally arrived," said Ronaldo, a World Cup winner in 1994 and 2002. Unlike previous editions, this year's opening ceremony will take place just half hour before the curtain-raiser match, with a stronger focus on musical acts.