Robbie Williams got the ball rolling and the crowd pumping at the World Cup with a traditional glitzy opening ceremony in Moscow, though he couldn’t avoid a bit of controversy.

Earlier in the day, the World Cup trophy itself was delivered into the Luzhniki Stadium — where the final will take place in 31 days — by Iker Casillas, a man already well acquainted with the feeling of hoisting it aloft.

As for the ceremony itself, the organisers managed to pack a lot of spectacle into 10 minutes.

First of all, Williams opened up with a rousing rendition of “Let Me Entertain You,” a song which was originally released a year before the 1998 World Cup.

Williams was then joined on the set by Russian opera singer Aida Garifullina, who arrived on the back of a giant fiery eagle.

As Williams and Garifullina continued to warble through the former’s back catalogue, we were also treated to an array of gymnastic tumbling and people twirling about in shiny costumes.

However, Williams couldn’t resist a naughty gesture as the TV cameras zoomed in for a close-up, showing the world his middle finger.

But the song went on, and before long Williams bowed out with a version of that old karaoke staple “Angels” while Ronaldo — the Brazilian, the original, and best — emerged from pitchside.

Indeed, the legendary Brazilian striker came on, dummied a penalty against Zabivaka the dog, the official 2018 World Cup mascot, waved to the crowd and returned from whence he came.

And that, pretty much, was that. At least until broadcasters start to receive complaints by those offended by Williams’ gesture.

Hardly a classic of the genre, but then most World Cup fans couldn’t really care less about what goes on ahead of the first match! ESPN

A glittery cavalcade of models, pop stars, and Instagram empresses are set to descend upon Russia with their y-chromosomes in tow.

As the FIFA World Cup kicks off tomorrow many of the top footballers on the planet will be watched from the stands by their wives and girlfriends.

In the old days — before reality TV — footballers’ wives were meek and dowdy matrons who were almost invisible except on the biggest occasions.

But then came Victoria Beckham, Cheryl Cole and Coleen Rooney — wives of England stars David, Ashley and Wayne respectively.

So when the FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 14 the names of the wives and girlfriends (WAGs) of players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Dele Alli trip off the tongue almost as easily as the players themselves.

So to celebrate soccer’s other, better halves, we assembled a not-even-close-to-exhaustive list of the most beautiful WAGs from the 2018 World Cup.

Georgina Rodriguez (girlfriend of Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo)

Ruby Mae (girlfriend of England’s Dele Alli)

Sara Salamo (girlfriend of Spain’s Isco)

Inna Zhirkova (wife of Russia’s Yuri Zhirkov)

Bruma Marquezine (girlfriend of Brazil’s Neymar)

Antonella Roccuzzo (wife of Argentina’s Lionel Messi)

Helga Lovekaty (girlfriend of Colombia’s James Rodriguez)

One player whose wife you are unlikely to see in a bikini or a low-cut dress is Liverpool’s Egyptian striking sensation Mo Salah.

He married Magi in 2013 — she wore a modest Muslim-style wedding dress — and his daughter Makka (Mecca) is named after the holy city in Saudi Arabia.

Mo Salah’s wife, Magi

With his participation in the World Cup in Russia called into question after a shoulder injury, Egyptian superstar Mo Salah is working hard to be fit to help his team in the opening match against Uruguay on Friday.

Footage by RT’s Ruplty video agency showed Salah training individually with a physical therapist at the stadium in the Chechen capital, Grozny, which the Egyptian national team chose to base its camp during the tournament.

The workout of the 25-year-old striker included exercises with fit ball and rubber bands, as well as other activities.

Salah, who scored 32 goals in 36 appearances for Liverpool and led his team to the Champions League final this season, is considered the main rival for Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the contest for the title of world’s best footballer.

However, his World Cup dreams were nearly crushed after the Egyptian suffered a shoulder injury in that very final, following what many believe was dirty play by Real Madrid’s defender Sergio Ramos.

Despite his physical problems, Salah has been included in Egypt’s lineup for the Mundial, but it’s currently unclear if he’ll be able to appear in his country’s opening march against Uruguay on June 15 or in the crucial second game against host Russia.

Watch his work out below

.@MoSalah filmed working out hard to recover for Egypt’s #WorldCup opener (VIDEO) ??⚽️? @Pharaohs

▶️ https://t.co/IqaDSCflNX ◀️pic.twitter.com/QzUUEUGJA0

— RT Sport (@RTSportNews) June 12, 2018

The most celebrated players in the world of football will be joined in Russia by some of the biggest stars of today’s international music scene.

As part of another exciting collaboration between FIFA and Sony Music, Will Smith, Nicky Jam and Era Istrefi will perform ‘Live It Up’, the Official Song of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia produced by DJ and songwriter Diplo.

Ahead of the final on 15 July, the music stars will warm up the 80,000 spectators at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium and around one billion people watching on TV just a few minutes before the two finalists come out on to the pitch.

Until then, fans will have enough time to learn the lyrics as “Live It Up” will be released on multiple streaming platforms this Friday, 25 May. The FIFA World Cup Official Music Video will be available as of 7 June.

“It’s an honour to be asked to perform at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. This global event brings people from all over the world together to cheer, laugh and experience magic.

Collaborating with Nicky, Diplo and Era on this track represents harmony, eclectic flavours and genres coming together.

At the end of the day, we just want to see the world dance”, said world-renowned Grammy Award-winning actor, songwriter and artist Will Smith.

“I’ve never made a song this international, so many stars have come together to make a strong vibe”, Diplo added.

“To record the Official Song for the FIFA World Cup is a lifetime achievement. Not many artists have the privilege of being able to say they’ve been part of this.

I’m so proud and happy, I can say to my grandkids ‘I’ve made it’,” commented Nicky Jam, one of Latin music’s most iconic names and a Latin Grammy Award winner.

“Being part of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Official Song has been an incredible and exciting experience so far.

Working alongside talented artists like Diplo, Will Smith and Nicky Jam, who I all have huge admiration for, has been amazing and so much fun.

I’m a huge football fan too, so I can’t wait for the World Cup to begin,” noted rising pop sensation Era Istrefi.

The tradition of an Official Song dates back to the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England with a song for the first Official Mascot, “World Cup Willie”.

Since then, the Official Music Programme and the Official Mascot have become a more and more significant component of the event, providing an excellent opportunity for more than just football fans to identify with the world’s biggest single-sport event.

“FIFA and Sony Music have enjoyed a successful cooperation on the Official Music Programme for years now.

The synergy between football and music is striking, both stirring up fans’ emotions across the globe.

This song – with a world -class line-up worthy of the greatest show on Earth – embodies the excitement, the celebration and the unity that people all over the world will share during the 2018 FIFA World Cup,” says Philippe Le Floc’h, FIFA Chief Commercial Officer.

“Sony Music has had a longstanding relationship with FIFA. When discussing the official music for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the objective that both organisations agreed on was a great song supported by an all-star line-up,” added Afo Verde, Chairman & CEO of Sony Music Latin Iberia.

“We are very excited that Will Smith, Nicky Jam, Diplo and Era Istrefi are part of the song and working hand in hand with FIFA and our artist community in providing the soundtrack for the biggest event in the world.”

Official Songs at recent FIFA World Cups have included ‘Un’estate italiana’ by Edoardo Bennato and Gianna Nannini in 1990, ‘Gloryland’ by Daryl Hall with Sounds of Blackness in 1994, and ‘La Copa de la Vida’ by Ricky Martin in 1998.

In 2002, the Official Song was “Boom” by Anastacia, while Vangelis’ vocal official anthem featured typical Korean and Japanese sonic elements.

In 2006, ‘The Time of Our Lives’ by the Il Divo quartet was a resounding success.

Shakira’s ‘Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)’ was the Official Song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and, most recently, ‘We Are One (Ole Ola)’ was the Official Song of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil.