World Cup to kick-off with Pakistan-made ball that was sent to space

We are just a week away for FIFA World Cup kick-off and the host Russia and Saudi Arabia are gearing up to play tournament's opener with Pakistan-manufactured football that recently made a trip to space.

Yes you read it right, the official match ball was sent to international space station in March for the first time ever. The ball has now been brought back to the earth, which will be used in the opening match between Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Telstar18, the official match ball for Russia 2018 Football World Cup, was making rounds on the internet. A video released by the Russian state space agency Roscosmos showed two Russian cosmonauts, Anton Shkaplerov and Oleg Artemyev, engaged in zero-gravity football skills in a cosmic kickabout at the International Space Station.

The ball has been manufactured in Sialkot – Pakistan’s hub of sports goods. The World Cup will be played using many of the footballs that have been made in Pakistan.

The World Cup 2018 will kick off on June 14. The tournament will run until July 15 and will see 64 games take place at 12 stadiums across 11 cities in Russia.