Former midfielder and Russia captain Sergei Semak has been named as an Ambassador for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™. Semak was unveiled in this role on 25 November in Kazan ahead of the Official Draw of the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 taking place in the city.

Semak is the only Russian football player who has won the national championship with three different clubs: CSKA Moscow, Rubin Kazan and Zenit Saint Petersburg, where he is currently part of the coaching set-up. He also holds the record for the most games (456) and the most seasons (19) in Russia's top flight. On the international scene, Semak played a key role during UEFA EURO 2008™ when the Russian national team reached the semi-finals.

“Every footballer dreams of playing at the World Cup and joining in this unforgettable celebration,” Semak declared. “I'm delighted to have the chance to take part in such an important event as an Ambassador. Representing Russia is a great honour for me, and I know first-hand what it is to feel proud of your country and shoulder the expectations of anxious fans.”

Other 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Ambassadors are national-team goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, former player Alexei Smertin, distinguished pianist Denis Matsuev and legendary Soviet striker Nikita Simonyan, who captained the USSR at their maiden World Cup in 1958 and is now the vice president of the Russian Football Union, as well as television, radio and public personalities like Yana Churikova, Sergei Belogolovtsev, Nikolai Drozdov and Lyasan Utiasheva.