Russia launch World Cup bid
Russia have submitted their official bid for the rights to host the World Cup for the first time in their history.
The country is primarily bidding for the 2018 tournament although they have expressed an interest in staging the 2022 event if the former bid fails to win the vote.
Vitaly Mutko, Russian Sports Minister, said: “If and when FIFA approve our bid we will choose our 12 host cities where the new stadiums will be built. This is an important initiative, not only for football, but for the entire nation. Hosting the World Cup will have a postive impact upon millions of Russian youth and create a legacy of sporting, economic and personal growth through football.”
FIFA Chief Sepp Blatter is expected to visit Russia next week to meet Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to ensure that the Russian bid has full government support and to inspect the country’s existing facilities and infrastructure.
Russia are currently the bookies third favourite to win the bid and their rivals include England, USA, Australia, Japan, Spain/Portugal, Belgium/Holland and Indonesia.
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I’d take them seriously if I were you. They’ve hired in the Dutch over the past decade, Advocaat and Hiddink amongst them and the Dutch really know their football, I can tell you.
They have a long and proud tradition of football success.
I suspect they may need two shots at it. But when the Russians decide to do something, they do it.
Be on your A game, England 2018.