Russia launches large hosting projects for the World Cup 2018: Hundreds of stadiums and tickets instead of Visas

The Russian PM Vladimir Putin gave the green light to begin completion of large sports projects to host the World Cup 2018. The Russian government has estimated the costs for such projects to seven billion and $10b.

 These projects will be established in the European part of the country, and the Russian government is seeking to complete the necessary projects a year before the launching of the World Cup 2018.

Russian PM Putin said his government plans to build hundreds of new stadiums in Russia, and the largest part would correspond to the FIFA international standards, as there is only one stadium in Russia with international FIFA standards which is Lozinski stadium in Moscow.   

In addition to building stadiums, the Russian government considers it necessary to re-establish and improve the basic facilities including roads, airports, hotels and training camps. Russia also plans to operate a company for producing stadiums’ equipments in Ulyanovsk, instead of importing those products from other developed countries.

This company was the largest projects within the Russian government’s plans before its successful bid to host world cup 2018, as part of the overall renaissance pursued by Putin since his appearance on Russia’s political scene as President then as a PM.

Putin announced that his government is willing to engage French experts in order to take advantage of their experience in organizing large international sports events, a recognition and admiration of a French successful host for the World Cup 1998. Putin also discussed this idea with the French PM Francois Fillon when he visited Moscow last week.

The Russian authorities intend to give a special bye on the World Cup 2018, not only through brilliant host, but also by attracting millions of football fans from the world, as the Russian president Dmitry Medvedev announced on the intention of his country to cancel visa to any person carrying a World Cup ticket.

Alexei Sorokin, GM of the committee for the Russian World cup bid 2018 has announced, during the presentation of his country’s file in Zurich, that any ticket-carrying fan to attend any match is welcomed to Russia without a visa.

The Russian successful bid to host World Cup 2018 reflects the country’s high level of security and economic stability during Putin’s era. Europeans describe it as the “New Russia” which has already won the bid to host the Winter Olympics 2014. This also reflects the importance of oil, which has become very expensive in the world market.