Association football is known as soccer in the United States, where the word "football" is used to refer to American football.

“Seoul [2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan] was the first World Cup that I went to… You know, being from America we say football meaning something different... I realized how much as Americans we sort of cut off from the world and the joy in that way… As Americans we are not really good at it [football] yet… It’s just an absolutely magical global energy that I love to be a part of,” Smith told journalists.

He added that the tournament in Russia is "the biggest sporting event in the world" and he is "honored and humbled" to perform at the closing ceremony in Moscow.

Smith, along with Albanian singer Era Istrefi and Nicky Jam recorded the tournament's official song, titled Live It Up and produced by US DJ Diplo, which they will perform at the closing ceremony before the final showdown between France and Croatia on Sunday

Nicky Jam said that it was his dream to record a World Cup song.

“I was talking to the record label for almost two years cause I wanted to make it happen and Diplo already had a song, and I wasn’t on it first, but the president of Sony showed me the song and he said this is the song, this is what you’re going to do. I said I’m doing it, I’m ready, but I need Will Smith with me on it,” Nicky Jam said.

Istrefi also said that she was honored to be part of the trio set to perform at the closing ceremony.

“I’m very honored to be here, really. I feel privileged to be a part of the World Cup, it is a rare event that happens once in four years… So much love going on here and intense emotions watching the games, bringing all nationalities together through music which I think is amazing,” Istrefi said.

Russia's first-ever FIFA World Cup kicked off on June 14 and will come to a close on Sunday.