Moscow, Russia. 18th September, 2015.

1. 00:00 Pan of replica of World Cup on display in Red Square.

2. 00:22 Various of young players performing football skills.

3. 00:46 SOUNDBITE (English): Colin Smith, FIFA Director of Competitions:

"It's a celebration of football. It marks a significant milestone in our progress towards the tournament. What better way to celebrate it than here on Red Square with an iconic football match, with youth teams from the three last world champions. It's a milestone for the public of Russia, it's a milestone for football fans around the world, and it's also a milestone for us in terms of getting the operations ready. It's all about a celebration and and build up of excitement to the summer of 2018 now."

4. 01:15 Various of ceremony marking 1,000 days to go until World Cup.

5. 02:26 SOUNDBITE (Russian): Vladimir Putin, President of Russia:

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6. 02:56 Various of ceremony to unveil the countdown clock in Red Square.

7. 03:26 Former World Cup winners Lothar Matthaus of Germany, Italy's Gianluca Zambrotta, Spain's Fernando Hierro and Russia's Igor Akinfeyev help to press red button launching the countdown.

Moscow's Red Square was transformed into a football pitch on Friday (18th September) as Russia launched its 1,000-day countdown to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

As the 1,000-day countdown to the FIFA World Cup in Russia began on Friday, fans were able to enjoy a flavour of the atmosphere of football's greatest festival in Moscow's Red Square.

The iconic Square has been transformed into a football pitch and players representing the under-16 teams from Italy, Spain and Germany - the three last World Cup winners - had a chance to play in this historic location.

Friday's countdown ceremony culminated with the unveiling of the countdown clock, with former World Cup winners Lothar Matthaus of Germany, Italy's Gianluca Zambrotta, Spain's Fernando Hierro and Russia's Igor Akinfeyev on hand to press the red button and launch the countdown.

Attended by high-ranking FIFA officials, the celebrations came as FIFA remains embroiled in a corruption scandal, partly over the awarding of the 2018 tournament to Russia.

On Thursday (17th September), FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke was abruptly relieved of his duties over his alleged involvement in a ticketing scam.

The Kremlin has said that the country honestly participated in the bidding process and that its status as host country should not be called into question.

Similar countdown events are taking place in more than 30 Russian cities, including the host cities of Saint Petersburg and Kazan.

The 2018 World Cup opening match will take place at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium on 14th June, 2018.