Williams performed a series of his hits, joined by Russian soprano Aida Garifullina, prior to the opening game between the hosts and Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo dummied the opening kick, allowing a child to pass the ball to mascot Zabivaka.
Russian president Vladimir Putin then gave a speech at the Luzhniki Stadium.
“We are sincerely happy to host the World Cup in our country,” he said.
Former Take That singer Williams, wearing a red and black leopard print suit, then took over proceedings with a rendition of “Let Me Entertain You”, before Garifullina was carried out on to the pitch on the back of a ‘firebird’ float.
Williams sang with a of “Feel” before he and Garifullina performed a duet of “Angels” as performers emerged, dressed in the colours of the flags of all 32 teams and carrying a sign bearing the name of each nation.
Ronaldo returned with the official ball, which was sent into space with the International Space Station crew in March and came back to earth earlier this month.
He then shaped to take the official kick but pulled out, inviting the child to pass it to Zabivaka, a brown and white wolf that is the official mascot of the tournament.
As the playing surface was cleared in time for kick-off, Williams closed with “Rock DJ”.
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