Russia's midfielder Yuri Gazinskiy (left) celebrates scoring the opening goal with his teammates during the World Cup group game against Saudi Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 14. 

The World Cup kicked off in Russia Thursday as the host nation took on Saudi Arabia in front of 80,000 people in Moscow after President Vladimir Putin officially declared the tournament open.

Russia is spending more than $13 billion on hosting football's showpiece, the most important event in the country since the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics.

Minutes before the game started in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Putin said: "I congratulate all of you at the start of the most important championship in the world."

The buildup has been dogged by controversy and diplomatic scandals and has shone a light on the challenges facing Russia.

Excitement has been steadily building in Moscow, with thousands of Saudi fans in green and white arriving in the city for the match.

British pop star Robbie Williams performed at the opening ceremony at the Luzhniki, which will also host the final on July 15.

The tournament also features several Chinese enterprises vying for a stake in sports marketing, including consumer electronics giant Hisense.