A wolf who radiates fun, charm and confidence has been chosen today by the Russian public as the Official Mascot for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™. Named Zabivaka™, which suitably hints at “the one who scores” in Russian, the wolf developed by student designer Ekaterina Bocharova received 53 per cent of the votes, followed by the tiger (27 per cent) and the cat (20 per cent). More than one million votes were cast on FIFA.com and through a live show on Russia’s Channel 1 during the month-long voting period, concluding the most engaging creative process for an Official Mascot in FIFA World Cup history.

“To get to the stage of seeing the wolf chosen today, we first collected the preferences of Russian kids through an online poll. Based on those ideas, university students submitted their designs and now the public have chosen their favourite character from among the final three,” said FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura. “Eighteen months after kicking-off this project, we are extremely happy that the 2018 mascot is the result of a team effort where the Russian people demonstrated their creative flair and their strong commitment to putting on a successful FIFA World Cup.”

“I am sure Zabivaka will be a massive hit among fans at the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™,” added the Local Organising Committee Chairman Vitaly Mutko, who attended the live TV show that crowned the wolf. “However, his role goes far beyond simply being popular among spectators. Our Mascot is tasked with inspiring supporters, getting the wider population involved in football and inviting them to the stadiums in order to experience memorable and positive emotions. Millions of Russian football fans took part in the vote and this means Zabivaka will do a worthy job representing our country around the world.”

Appearing alongside the three contenders on the Channel 1 show was Brazilian football legend and two-time FIFA World Cup winner Ronaldo. The evening brought back fond memories for him, as it was he who introduced the 2014 FIFA World Cup official mascot four years ago on Brazilian TV.

“Fuleco was a great success in Brazil, my kids loved him. And the grown-ups too. It is incredible how time flies and here we are introducing the mascot for 2018,” said the former player who scored 15 times in FIFA World Cup matches. “Mascots are great ambassadors for promoting the event and bring so much joy to the stadiums. I can see it happening already in Russia with Zabivaka just by seeing him on stage tonight. He will surely be remembered for a very long time by football fans all over the world.”

Check out Zabivaka’s bio below and you can also find out more about him on mascot.fifa.com, Facebook and Vkontakte (Russian only).

Wolf

He might be the youngest player in the squad, but you won’t find anyone faster, bolder or more skilful with a football. Wolf’s talent nearly always contributes to his team winning the match.

Key characteristics:

• He is charming, confident and social and has always dreamt of becoming a football star.

• His favourite sporting pastime is playing football. He is a fair player, values his team members and respects his opponents, and he plays with skill and purpose.

• He is always fun to be around – as the joker in the pack, he knows how to make others laugh.

• He has taken to wearing cool sports glasses when he’s in action; he believes they give him special targeting powers on the pitch. And he loves to pose for photos! </s> Russia have unveiled their mascot for the 2018 World Cup – Zabivaka the wolf.

Zabivaka, whose name means “the one who scores” in Russian is described as “charming, confident and social” and has “always dreamt of becoming a football star”, received 53% of the one million votes in a Fifa poll, beating competition from a tiger who got 27% and cat which collected 20%. He was developed by student designer Ekaterina Bocharova.

“I am sure Zabivaka will be a massive hit among fans at the Confederations Cup in 2017 and 2018 World Cup,” said Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko.

Fifa secretary general Fatma Samoura added: “To get to the stage of seeing the wolf chosen today, we first collected the preferences of Russian kids through an online poll. Based on those ideas, university students submitted their designs and now the public have chosen their favourite character from among the final three. Eighteen months after kicking-off this project, we are extremely happy that the 2018 mascot is the result of a team effort where the Russian people demonstrated their creative flair and their strong commitment to putting on a successful Fifa World Cup.”

Former Brazil striker Ronaldo was in attendance at the ceremony in Moscow and he was suitably impressed.

“Mascots are great ambassadors for promoting the event and bring so much joy to the stadiums,” he said. “I can see it happening already in Russia with Zabivaka just by seeing him on stage tonight. He will surely be remembered for a very long time by football fans all over the world.”

He is charming, confident and social and has always dreamt of becoming a football star.

His favourite sporting pastime is playing football. He is a fair player, values his team members and respects his opponents, and he plays with skill and purpose.

He is always fun to be around - as the joker in the pack, he knows how to make others laugh.

He has taken to wearing cool sports glasses when he’s in action; he believes they give him special targeting powers on the pitch. And he loves to pose for photos. </s> MOSCOW — Russia has chosen a cocky wolf wearing sporty goggles as the mascot for the 2018 football World Cup.

The wolf was chosen in online voting over two other mascot candidates -- a cat and a tiger wearing a space suit.

The announcement was made early Saturday at the end of an hour-long broadcast on state Channel One television. More than 1 million Russians voted in the contest, according to the broadcast.

World Cup matches are to take place in 11 cities in June and July 2018. The venues are in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Kazan, Krasnodar, Rostov-on-Don, Samara, Saransk, Volgograd, Nizhny Novgorod and Yekaterinburg. </s> FIFA described its latest creation, unveiled during a live television show in the presence of Russian deputy prime minister Vitaly Mutko and former Brazil striker Ronaldo, as "a wolf who radiates fun, charm and confidence".

The wolf, whose name according to FIFA means "the one who scores", received 53 per cent of the more than one million votes cast in a poll, beating a tiger (27 percent) and a cat (20 percent).

"I am sure Zabivaka will be a massive hit among fans at the Confederations Cup and the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia," said Mutko, who is also head of the Russian Football Union (RFU) and the local organizing committee.

"Our mascot is tasked with inspiring supporters, getting the wider population involved in football and inviting them to the stadiums in order to experience memorable and positive emotions.

"Millions of Russian football fans took part in the vote and this means Zabivaka will do a worthy job representing our country around the world."

Mutko was named as deputy prime minister for sports, tourism and youth policy on Wednesday, an effective promotion from his previous governmental role as sports minister. On Thursday, he said he may step down as RFU president.

Other mascots over the years have included 'Zakumi' the leopard from South Africa 2010, 'Pique' the chili pepper from Mexico 1986, a lion named 'World Cup Willie' from England in 1966 and "Gauchito" from Argentina in 1978.

Naranjito was Spain's mascot in 1982 and Footix represented France in 1998.

"Mascots are great ambassadors for promoting the event and bring so much joy to the stadiums," said Ronaldo. "(Zabivaka) will surely be remembered for a very long time by football fans all over the world." </s> Politics and football are allied on certain aspects in every corner of the world, even when it is the biggest spectacle of the concerned sport. Ever since Russia were awarded the rights to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup, there have been consternation about potential discrimination to players and visiting fans, the country's human rights situation and Vladimir Putin's worsening diplomatic relations with much of the western world, especially because of the Russian President's approach of soft power grab in Europe through the FIFA World Cup.

Russia, for all its military firepower and intelligence assets, has been rendered slightly inconsequential since the collapse of the Soviet Union, more so in light of the economic sanctions put in place against them, making the 2018 FIFA World Cup a significant cultural conduit for Putin, but all the background noise faded away as football took centre stage at the refurbished Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow as early as the twelfth minute through Yuri Gazinsky's opening goal.

Gazinsky was barely two-years-old when the disintegration of the USSR in 1991 changed the political landscape of his country, and on Thursday, the midfielder's first international goal in his first appearance in over fifteen months paved the way for a 5-0 rout of Saudi Arabia to mark the commencement of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Russia headed into the World Cup as the lowest ranked team in the FIFA, a mantle Saudi Arabia are likely to seize come end of the tournament, but the injury-depleted hosts were buoyed by the occasion to put in a flawless display. Stanislav Cherchesov abandoned his three-man defence and opted for a traditional 4-2-3-1 while Saudi Arabia lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation.

The match was evenly contested for most of the first half as both teams adopted a cautious approach to build-up play. As the minutes ticked by and the hosts settled into a comfortable rhythm, it became progressively difficult for Juan Antonio Pizzi's Saudi Arabia to assert themselves in spite of their superlative ball possession. Russia chose to drive straight at the Asian country's backline every time they had the ball, the Green Falcons failing to come up with a solution for the Russian midfielders' late, incisive passes to an overlapping runner between the channels.

Russia's first goal came off a corner earned through such a ploy - although Saudi Arabia cleared the initial corner, Aleksandr Golovin combined with veteran Yuri Zhirkov on the left flank to loop in a cross into the penalty area which was slotted in by Gazinsky. Minutes later, Russia's attacking midfielder-in-chief Alan Dzagoev would limp off with a hamstring injury, but substitute Denis Cherysev put in an inspired performance, one which prompted Russian supporters to wonder why the Real Madrid academy graduate wasn't handed a start.

Cheryshev's brace was symbolic of the gulf in class between the two nations. If his first goal was a consequence of his technical abilities shining through, side-lining an inept Saudi defense with a quick piece of skill followed by an well-executed shot, his second of the night was a spectacular moment of individual brilliance as his shot with the outside of his left boot from the edge of the penalty area swirled over an outstretched Abdullah Al-Mayoof.

Equally crucial to Russia's display was another substitute Artem Dzyuba who scored the third of the night and teed up Cheryshev's stoppage-time stunner. The hosts are not the favourites in Group A by any means, but Cherchesov does have a few skilful players who can outsmart any opposition on their days. Aleksandr Golovin, arguably the Sbornaya's brightest talent, capped off his sterling night with an inch-perfect free-kick to complete Saudi Arabia's pummelling.

If excellent finishing from the Russians were to blame for the Falcons' misery, Saudi Arabia certainly did not help themselves as they repeatedly gave the ball away in dangerous areas and struggled to deal with textbook situations in their defensive third. The collective shambles of the Saudi Arabia backline, in turn, coerced their attackers to attempt ambitious moves without much success, resulting in a disjointed shape and a pitiful display.

Sometimes direct football is the best modus operandi, especially for teams without earth-shattering talents in their ranks. Russia kept it simple and reaped the rewards, while Saudi Arabia committed schoolboy errors and paid the price.

Saudi Arabia must regroup quickly, while Russia should do away with any elation for the next two matches will be more difficult for both nations - both Egypt and Uruguay have far more accomplished players in their midst. While the Russian performance invited a call of appreciation for Cherchesov from President Putin, the looks of incredulity shared by Putin with Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia after every Russian golazo were a sight to behold, or as he worded it "the power of humanistic beginning" of the most "spectacular, vibrant, uncompromising game" on the planet. </s> The Super Eagles who have arrived Russia for the world cup – held their first training session in Essentuki on Tuesday evening before departing their base for Kaliningrad on Wednesday.

The Eagles’ first match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup comes up against Croatia on Saturday at the 35,000 –capacity Kaliningrad Arena.

The 2013 African Cup of Nations winners are expected to depart for Kaliningrad 4pm Russia time.

According to a media statement from the Nigerian Football Federation the team have settled down nicely at their Sanatorium Istochnik Hotel, Essentuki team base camp at the FIFA World Cup.

Essentuki is located in the Stavropol region of southern Russia. There was a brief airport reception coordinated by staff of the Local Organizing Committee and the world football –governing body, FIFA, he added.

At the hotel, a welcome reception organized by the Governor of Essentuki, the Minister of Sports in the Stavropol region and the Manager of Sanatorium Istochnik also held.

Stay updated with the latest Nigerian news from Information Nigeria </s> SUMMARY Meems have already started doing rounds on the internet hours before the FIFA World Cup starts Here are some of the top meems doing rounds on social media and I must say, they're incredibly funny

Ladies and Gentlemen, fans and followers, the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 is finally upon us.

Hosts Russia will kick off the tournament with a match against Saudi Arabia in what is expected to be a pulsating start to the tournament. ​

As this happens, netizens have already begun creating memes which even add more spice to the already much-hyped tournament.

Here are some memes seen by Ureport that have taken the internet by storm:

One ridicules the fact that America, hosts of the 2026 World Cup, will not be in this year's tournament.

Remember when Brazil shocked everyone by losing 7-1 to eventual champions Germany in the semi-final?

Nigeria's kit just got everyone on the internet talking...

Here's a funny one. Cleveland Cavaliers' Lebron James gesturing to a teammate looks exactly how a footballer complains to a teammate on the pitch...

People just can't let go of Liverpool's goalkeeper Karius after that Champions League final howler...

Here's another showing how men get irritated easily when watching football with women around.

Lately, England has failed to mesmerise fans in the World Cup. So fans expect a quick exit.

2006 champions Italy did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup, guess who eliminated them....Sweden.

Another funny one shows former FIFA president Sepp Blatter giving Russia President Vladimir Putin money.

Do you have more World Cup memes? Please share them with us. </s> Adidas has revealed the Official Match Ball for the 2018 FIFA World Cup knockout stage in the Telstar Mechta. The name Mechta in Russian translates as ‘ambition’ or ‘dream,’ and features the same design elements and physical features as the Telstar 18, but is adapted to reflect the added intensity and opportunity of the knockout stages.

The Mechta has a bright red and black pixelated graphic detail on the panels and copper accents over a white ball. The updated colors reflect the importance of the matches, as the field of thirty-two has been reduced to sixteen.

A copper adidas logo with matching text that has Mechta in Russian over Official Match Ball in English and a monochrome copper 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia logo are also placed on the ball. The Mechta match balls will make their debut on June 30 for the first of the Round of 16 matches in the knockout phase.

Shop for the Official Match Balls of the 2018 FIFA World Cup at World Soccer Shop. </s> The World Cup is here at last.

Host Russia opens the 2018 competition against Saudi Arabia at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Thursday, in a meeting between the two lowest-ranked teams in the field.

The draw did 70th-ranked Russia a favor, putting 67th-ranked Saudi Arabia is the first opponent in a group that also features Uruguay and Egypt. Given the increasing difficulty in each match for the Russians, they'll be looking to open with a three-point haul as they look to avoid joining South Africa (2010) as the only host nation to not escape the group stage.

Saudi Arabia will be looking for an equally positive start as well, with ex-Chile manager Juan Antonio Pizzi, who took charge days before the World Cup draw, leading the Asian nation into a difficult circumstance–being the hosts's first opponent.

Stay tuned here for live updates and highlights of goals and key plays from throughout the match (refresh for most recent updates):

Here are the lineups for both sides:

Here are the rosters for both nations:
A public poll on the internet in Russia selects the cartoon wolf Zabivaka as the official mascot of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which the country will host in June and July 2018.