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By Andrew Warshaw in Moscow
September 22 – Russian 2018 World Cup bid officials have flown to Cairo in an attempt to woo Africa’s FIFA Executive Committee members as the build-up to the all-important December 2 vote intensifies.
With Africa not permitted to go for either 2018 or 2022, having staged the tournament in South Africa this year, FIFA’s four African members are regarded as fertile lobbying territory with under three months left before the decision in Zurich.
England’s well-established development programmes in Africa, coupled with an increasingly strong relationship with 2010 World Cup chief executive Danny Jordaan, have made them front-runners to secure the critical African bloc vote.
This has not gone unnoticed by the Russians who are making a late bid to secure African support which, they believe, could ultimately push them over the line.
The Russians are due to make a presentation to the Executive Committee of CAF, the Confederation of African Nations, today in the hope of persuading them that their case is stronger than England’s.
“This is a race for the biggest event on the planet,” said Russian bid leader Alexei Sorokin.
“In terms of TV audiences it even surpasses the Olympics.”
If they are granted the World Cup, the Russians have pledged to waive visa restrictions for all ticket-holders - no decision has been made about ticketless fans - as well as providing free public transport for all supporters during the entire tournament.
Red Square, which looked resplendent in the autumn sun yesterday, will be used as a fan fest and Sorokin is convinced the Russians have a more powerful legacy claim than England.
“A vote for Russia is vote for the future of football,” he told a briefing of international reporters during a media visit organised by the Russian 2018 team.
“We and we will do our best to persuade FIFA of that.”
Sorokin believes the presence of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Zurich could prove the difference between a victorious Russian bid and the heartbreak of defeat.
Putin is widely credited with pushing Sochi over the line when the Black Sea resort upset the odds to land the 2014 Winter Olympics at the International Olympic Committee Session in Guatemala City in 2007.
“He has impact the very moment he walks into a room,” said Sorokin.
“He’s that kind of figure.
“It’s always beneficial when the leader of a Government can say, ‘I can guarantee’.”
Sorokin was quick to play any element of guesswork, however. “
“I have learned that there is no point in vote counting,” he said.
“Things can change at the last moment.
“What I do know, however, is that a bad final presentation can certainly lose you a couple of votes.
“People who are hesitating will not vote for you.”
He was also keen to stress that the rivalry with the three other European bidders was healthy and respectful.
“Let’s not overblow this,” he said.
“It’s the most important competition in the world but it’s not major warfare.”
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