Six-time World Cup winner, Honoured Master of Sports in Rhythmic Gymnastics, TV presenter and charity worker Liasan Utiasheva recently joined the team of 2018 FIFA World Cup™ Ambassadors and shared her admiration of the upcoming volunteer work at the tournament.

“I’m immensely proud to become part of a huge 2018 FIFA World Cup team. To be a volunteer or Ambassador is an opportunity to work together for common good. We all have different duties but there is only one goal – to create an unforgettable sporting event,” Utiasheva told FIFA.com.

The Russian gymnastics star continues to actively participate in national events and contribute to numerous projects aimed at the development of sport and a healthy lifestyle in Russia. Liasan is working with people of different professions, ages and cultures, and therefore appreciates the human factor in preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

“I know the sport from the inside, so volunteers always create the feeling of profound respect in me. Any major international sports event is successful largely thanks to them. In my opinion, it is they who provide the necessary assistance and support in a variety of functional areas, creating the holiday-like atmosphere for the tournament’s guests and participants. But this is not as easy as it might seem at first glance. These people amaze me with their strong human qualities: mindfulness, restraint, stress management, kindness and willingness to help.”

“When you take on the role of a volunteer, a person takes responsibility not only for themselves but also for the image of their country in the eyes of the world. The volunteers will be the face of the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup,” Utiasheva went on to add.

The website FIFA.com/volunteers is currently receiving applications from candidates for volunteering roles at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017.

Volunteering is an interesting life choice that opens new perspectives and transcends the boundaries of communication. It affords the chance to be at the heart of grand events, see everything from the inside and to understand how the world's biggest tournaments are organised.

You can now apply to volunteer for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup at FIFA.com. Registration is open to all, regardless of gender, ethnicity and physical abilities. There is only one requirement: volunteers willing to take part in the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 must be 18 years old by 10 May 2017, and those who want to become a volunteer at the 2018 FIFA World Cup must be 18 years old by 10 May 2018. About 5,500 volunteers will be involved in the Confederations Cup and more than 15,000 during the World Cup.