Countdown to the greatest football show begins

KATHMANDU: We are just a few hours shy of the opening ceremony of football's greatest show, probably the most watched sporting event.

Fans of the game all across the globe are eagerly anticipating the curtain-raiser for the 2018 FIFA World Cup which is due to start at 8:15 (NPT).

Here are a few quick facts that you could go through, perhaps one more time, before the quadrennial event begins:

The opening ceremony will begin 30 minutes ahead of the inaugural game between Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Russia and Saudi Arabia will face each other at the first game of this World Cup at 8:45 pm (NPT).

The opening ceremony will be held at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium which will also host the final. A concert will be held at the famous Red Square at the same time.

Pop-icon from the 90s, Robbie Williams will headline a series of musical acts during the opening event.  Williams will be joined by celebrated Russian soprano Aida Garifullina.

The official World Cup song is called Live It Up and features Will Smith, Nicky Jam and Kosovar Albanian singer Era Istrefi.

Click here to see the group stage fixtures (NPT).

May the best team win!