Russia plans to host 2018 FIFA World Cup in 13 cities
May 7th, 2011 - 7:00 am ICT by IANSMoscow, May 7 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia plans to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup in 13 cities, but the final decision would be made by FIFA, football’s international governing body, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has said.
“We will not exclude any cities,” Putin said during a trip to Volgograd. “And we’ll for sure keep Volgograd - how can we win without Stalingrad?”
The Battle of Stalingrad - as Volgograd was known during World War II - was one of the fiercest and seen as a turning point in the Soviet army’s victory over Nazi Germany on the Eastern Front.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter - who arrived in Moscow Thursday - said a dozen cities would be the optimal number to hold the tournament.
The cities in Russia’s victorious bid were Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Kazan, Yaroslavl, Nizhny Novgorod, Saransk, Samara, Volgograd, Yekaterinburg, Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar and Sochi.
The FIFA chief’s visit - which lasted less than 24 hours - included a presentation on Russia’s preparations to host the 2018 World Cup and talks with the country’s football authorities.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
pm
- List of venues for 2018 World Cup to be announced Sep 29 - Sep 05, 2012
- FIFA World Cup delegates visit Samara - Jun 22, 2012
- Putin supporters hold rallies all over Russia - Feb 19, 2012
- Minute's silence at Russian Super Cup - Jul 14, 2012
- Zenit thrash Spartak 5-0 - Aug 11, 2012
- 700 observers to monitor Russian presidential poll - Mar 01, 2012
- Ammo blast kills six in Russia - May 03, 2012
- Russia to build two space-defence missile plants - Feb 04, 2012
- Mi-2 chopper crashes in Russia, pilot killed - Aug 11, 2012
- Putin urges fans to help tourists at World Cup - Jan 20, 2012
- Own goal saves Spartak's blushes in RPL - Jul 22, 2012
- Rubin extends contract with Sharonov - Aug 19, 2012
- Russian plane makes emergency landing - Jun 09, 2011
- Two killed in Russian trainer plane crash - Dec 04, 2011
- 88 missing as ship sinks in Russia - Jul 10, 2011
Tags: battle of stalingrad, cities in russia, dozen cities, fifa football, fifa world cup, international governing body, krasnodar, nazi germany, nizhny novgorod, optimal number, ria novosti russia, rostov on don, saransk, sepp blatter, sochi, soviet army, vladimir putin, world war ii, yaroslavl, yekaterinburg