Supporters from across the world attending the 2018 FIFA Fan Fest™ events at the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ could be greeted by a World Cup winner and a Russian legend.

Marcel Desailly and Aleksandr Kerzhakov have been appointed Ambassadors for next year's Fan Fest events, with the French World Cup winner and Sbornaya's record goalscorer set to make several guest appearances at the 11 unique locations organised by FIFA in collaboration with the 2018 World Cup Host Cities.

“It's a great honour for my country to be hosting the 21st edition of the FIFA World Cup next year and I'm convinced that the FIFA Fan Fest will contribute greatly to the overall experience for the attending fans,” Kerzhakov said.

"All our 11 Host Cities have the opportunity to put the Russian culture and hospitality in the spotlight at their FIFA Fan Fest. I'm looking forward to checking this out for myself in my role as 2018 FIFA Fan Fest Ambassador."

Both Desailly and Kherzhakov were at the State Kremlin Palace to officially announce their appointments, with the France 1998 champion following in the footsteps of Ronaldo after the Brazilian World Cup winner held the role of Fan Fest Ambassador for the 2014 edition.

“During my football career, I played in several different countries in front of impressive crowds. I hope to see these fans from all over the world again at the FIFA Fan Fest locations to celebrate football together”, said Desailly. “It is amazing to feel the excitement building here in Russia for the World Cup and what better way to be part of the action than as a Fan Fest Ambassador.”

Since Germany 2006, the FIFA Fan Fest has become part of the World Cup's Official Programme and continued for South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014, with close to 30 million people attending over the past three editions.