Valcke praises Russia's 2018 World Cup progress

By David Gold

December 2 – A year after Russia was awarded the right to host the 2018 World Cup, FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke has praised the progress made by the country in the first year of its preparations to stage the event.

The logo for the World Cup is due to be launched this month, whilst sponsorship deals have been agreed with Coca-Cola, Hyundai-Kia and Anheuser-Busch InBev.

Last month Russia 2018 chief executive Alexey Sorokin announced that the decision on the host cities for the tournament would be brought forward to the end of 2012.

The fast pace of Russia’s organisation has been a marked contrast to that of Brazil, the 2014 World Cup hosts, whose progress has been laboured with airport capacity still a major concern.

Russia has also began the process of passing legislation to enshrine in law guarantees made by the Government when awarded the right to host the World Cup last year, again contrasting significantly with the wrangling between FIFA and Brazil over the World Cup law currently going through their Parliament.

“From the day they were awarded the rights to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Russia has been working closely with us on the preparations for the first FIFA World Cup in Eastern Europe – despite the fact that the tournament is not until 2018,” said Valcke.

“We have to congratulate the LOC (Local Organising Committee), led by chairman Vitaly Mutko and Alexey Sorokin, for their commitment and for the great partnership we are forging.

“We are very pleased with the progress made this year.

“We firmly believe that if Russia continues at this pace, the world will salute Russians for organising a fantastic FIFA World Cup.”

Sorokin said that Russia is “working night and day to repay [FIFA’s] faith and host the best World Cup in the history of the beautiful game”.

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