Closing ceremony pays tribute to host cities

The ceremony paid tribute to all the 11 host cities and the 32 participating nations, while flash mobs danced in the tribunes getting the 81,000 attendees – fans and dignitaries alike – involved.

Published : Jul 15, 2018 20:54 IST , Moscow

Will Smith (R), Nicky Jam (C) and Era Istrefi perform during the closing ceremony prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final.
Will Smith (R), Nicky Jam (C) and Era Istrefi perform during the closing ceremony prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final.
lightbox-info

Will Smith (R), Nicky Jam (C) and Era Istrefi perform during the closing ceremony prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final.

 

The closing ceremony of the FIFA World Cup, ahead of the final kickoff, was a starry affair with the noted Russian soprano and Vienna State Opera soloist Aida Garifullina starting the revelries with a rendition of ‘Moscow Never Sleeps’, alongside DJ Smash.

World Cup 2018: FULL COVERAGE

The ceremony paid tribute to all the 11 host cities and the 32 participating nations, while flash mobs danced in the tribunes getting the 81,000 attendees – fans and dignitaries alike – involved.

Nicky Jam, Will Smith and Era Estrefi also belted out the popular number, ‘Live it up’ – the official World Cup anthem, and then 2002 World Cup winner Ronaldinho engaged in some lighthearted banter with Zabivaka, Russia 2018’s mascot and playing the drum, even as Aida was sending the stadium into a tizzy, singing 'Kalinka'. 

In the end it was time for the actual business, as Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning captain Philipp Lahm and Russian supermodel Natalia Vodianova brought the coveted Cup – 36cm in height, weighing 6.175 kg – to the ground, taken out from the safety of its specially designed travel case. From then on the 22 men took over, giving their heart and soul in the biggest game of their life.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment