Robbie Williams to perform at World Cup opening ceremony

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Robbie Williams will fulfil his childhood dream and open the Football World Cup.

Robbie Williams will sing at the opening ceremony of the Football World Cup in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.

The singer will perform just ahead of the opening game between Russia and Saudi Arabia about 3am on Friday NZT.

Williams will be joined by Russian soprano Aida Garifullina, and – presumably not on vocals – former Brazilian international Ronaldo, who was in the winning team in 1994 and 2002, The Guardian reported.

Williams said he was "happy and excited" and that the performance was the fulfilment of a boyhood dream. He promised an "unforgettable show".

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Williams is enthusiastic footballer and on Sunday he led an England side to victory in the Soccer Aid charity football event, featuring other stars including Usain Bolt and Mo Farah.

He also founded the LA Vale football team while living in Los Angeles, The Guardian reported.

Two years ago, some Russian were offended by his tongue-in-cheek single Party Like a Russian.  It included the lines about an oligarach: "Alleviate the cash from a whole entire nation / Take my loose change and build my own space station."

Fifa says the opening ceremony will take place much closer to kick-off than usual, just 30 minutes before the start of the opening match.