Russia unveils logo for 2018 World Cup

Russia will be hosting the World Cup in 2018, and while the country is looking forward to a lot of top-notch soccer, it also wants folks to look back in admiration at its space program. 

The official logo was first publicly presented Tuesday by crew members onboard the International Space Station.

At the same time, an elaborate video presenting the logo was projected onto the facade of Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre.

The video presentation begins with a ball blasting out of a stadium in Brazil (the 2014 World Cup host), going into orbit, Sputnik-style, then re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere and landing in Russia. Throw in some Faberge eggs, a peacock and, of course, soccer, and does a logo emerge? Da!

According to FIFA, “inspiration [for the logo] was drawn from both Russia’s rich artistic tradition and its history of bold achievement and innovation. Above all, Russia’s pioneering in space was a truly captivating theme.” FIFA also makes this bold claim: “It unites magic and dreams.”

Credit: Des Bieler/Washington Post