A choir of 182 Bavarian drummers and 20 dancers filled the Arena pitch that was covered with a red plastic cover before a number of German and international bands made their performances.

The ceremony also witnessed the participation of former World Cup legends, as well as a host of famous celebrities, such as German super-model Claudi Schiffer and three-time winner Pele, who carried the World Cup trophy into the pitch after former English, Uruguayan, Italian, Argentine and German stars were introduced.

Argentine legend Diego Armando Maradona was the most prominent absentee despite the organizing committee’s confirmations that he would’ve been among the former players taking part in the ceremony.