Official 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia poster revealed in Moscow

The official poster for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, featuring Russian goalkeeping great Lev Yashin accompanied by Soviet artwork, was revealed in the Moscow Metro on Tuesday.

Yashin, who played in four FIFA World Cups – 1958, 1962, 1966, and 1970 – features in a flat-cap with his famous knee brace and all-black kit, which gave him the nickname ‘The Black Spider,’ on a background of artwork.

Dynamo Moscow legend Yashin, the only goalkeeper to win the coveted Ballon d’Or, is depicted saving a football typical for his era, from which emanates rays of light, creating a vibrant yellow and orange background.

Artist Igor Gurovich created the poster, and was inspired by the Russian movement of Constructivism from the late 1920s, personally choosing Yashin as the central figure of his work.

A special metro train whose interior is dedicated to the history of the FIFA World Cup was also unveiled on Tuesday, and the two are the last remaining visual icons of the World Cup.

Chairman of the Russia 2018 Local Organizing Committee Vitaly Mutko, attending the draw, said of the poster: “It was very important for us to portray Russia as the Host Country in the Official Poster.

“That’s why Lev Yashin was chosen, a symbol of Russian football, as the main figure. I’m sure that the poster will become one of the most memorable symbols of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and that fans and participants alike will approve of it.”

The Moscow Metro depot on the city’s Krasnaya Presnya Street hosted the unveiling, just three days before the FIFA World Cup Final Draw, which will be held on Friday at the State Kremlin Palace. The draw will be assisted by eight ‘FIFA legends,’ including Argentine icon Diego Maradona and Yashin’s former Soviet teammate Nikita Simonyan.

The Final Draw for the tournament will be held at the State Kremlin Palace on Friday, at 6pm Moscow time. Other legends include Diego Forlan, Laurent Blanc, Fabio Cannavaro, Carles Puyol, Gordon Banks, and Cafu.