OFFICIAL: World Cup 2018 logo unveiled in Moscow

The official emblem of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia has been unveiled by the cosmonauts at the International Space Station. The logo was then projected onto the iconic Bolshoi Theater building in the heart of Russian capital, Moscow.

The ceremony was broadcast live during the popular Evening Urgant television talk show, which was attended by FIFA president Sepp Blatter, Italian football great Fabio Cannavaro and Russia's sports minister, Vitaly Mutko.

Blatter stated "To creatively capture the essence of this remarkable historic moment inspiration was drawn from both Russia's rich artistic tradition and its history of bold achievement and innovation," he said. "I hope that fans around the world will appreciate and love the Russia 2018 emblem.”

664 billion rubles ($15.6 billion), half of which are federal budget funds, are to be allocated for the World Cup project through 2018.