Russia ready to put on a show for FIFA World Cup

It’s one of the biggest showpieces in world sport, and for the next month, Russia has rolled out the welcome mat.

Right now, Moscow is awash with colour. On the fringe of the city’s famous Red Square rival fans engage in, mostly, friendly banter and chants. There’s dancing, singing and lots of selfies.

The World Cup is, however, being played against a backdrop of political sensitivities and controversies.

Australia has already made its point. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop was adamant there’d be no official delegation at tonight’s opening ceremony.

But it hasn’t stopped a flood of Australians, about 5000 in all, from making the long trek.

Our Socceroos will occupy much of their focus - the Aussies kick off their campaign this Saturday night against football giant France, but many have come here just to feel part of the festival.

Visits to Russia are expected to top almost 1.5 million, and the Russians are ready to put on a show.

Although, an Englishman will be given the honour of opening proceedings.

Robbie Williams - the king of big stadium performances - will be in his element as 80,000 people celebrate the start of the tournament, not to mention a global audience in the hundreds of millions.

But what then of the locals? What do they think of the event? One Vladamir Putin and his government have poured some $13 billion into making a success.

They certainly wouldn’t approve of the dramatic increase in traffic. The roads are mostly clogged in the inner-city.

Business is booming though - restaurants are full, so too the bars, and the city has a festival feel about it.

Russians want nothing more than to make sure this World Cup is a massive hit. Especially Putin, who’ll surely be trying his hardest for no own goals.