Soccer spectacle begins today in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium

Chennai: The world’s greatest sporting party will get underway at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Thursday with a match between the lowest ranked teams, Saudi Arabia (67) and Russia (70), as Eastern Europe welcomes its first Fifa World Cup. Having splashed nearly $13 billion on the event, Russia have the onerous task of not becoming the first hosts to lose the opener. The introduction of Video Assistant Referee is expected to rid the tournament of major refereeing mistakes.

The show has already begun off the field, as Spain have shown the door to their coach  Julen Lopetegui on Wednesday for agreeing to become Real Madrid manager after the World Cup without the consent of the national federation. Lopetegui’s exit has rattled Spain who will now have former Real player Fernando Hierro at the helm.

Defending champions Germany, a rejuvenated Brazil, a youthful France and a star-studded Argentina are in the mix for the title in addition to the ‘pass’ masters of Spain who enter the tournament without a defeat in 20 matches. Belgium, England and Portugal are the dark horses. As the smallest nation ever to play at the World Cup, Iceland will also attract attention.

The 21st edition of the World Cup probably offers Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi of Argentina a last shot at the winners’ medal. For the two magical players of this generation, a career without the World Cup would represent a gaping hole in their otherwise resplendent CVs. Brazil’s Neymar would be hoping that he can upstage the duo and steer Brazil to their sixth title.

For President Vladimir Putin, the month-long tournament is a tool to showcase a muscular, prosperous Russia that is on par with the Western countries he never gets tired of ruffling. Although annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, alleged meddling in the 2016 US elections, involvement in the Syrian war and charges of poisoning a Russian double agent in Britain have revived the Cold War tensions between Russia and the West, Putin is determined to boost his and his country’s image through sports. After the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014, it is Fifa World Cup for him in 2018.