By David Gold
June 1 – The head of the FIFA delegation currently touring prospective host cities for the Russia 2018 World Cup has praised the black sea resort of Sochi.
Sochi, which is in two year’s time set to host the Winter Olympics and Paralympics, is highly likely to stage matches at the World Cup.
They will take place at the 63.5 million (£39.7 million/€48.1 million) Fisht Olympic Stadium (artist’s impression above).
The venue is in the coastal cluster of Olympic venues, and though it will not stage sporting action during Sochi 2014, it will host the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Games.
The stadium, designed by Populous and Burro Happold, is named after the Mount Fisht peak in the Caucasus mountains.
Those inside the stadium will have a direct view of the Krasnaya Polyana mountain complex where alpine ski events will take place during Sochi 2014.
Jürgen Müller, FIFA’s head of the 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups, is being accompanied by fellow officials (pictured below) from world football’s governing body and Russia 2018, including their chief executive Alexei Sorokin.
The Sochi leg had been postponed from April due to bad weather when the delegation initially tried to fly to the city.
Müller said: “We would like to thank the city of Sochi for very kind hospitality and organisation we have experienced here.
“This time we were able to receive more information.
“We visit all cities and we are trying to collect useful information…and as I said we have a very good impression.
“I like the climate and people here.
“But it would not be fair to other cities if I would describe what I like most in Sochi.
“So I would just thank you for your hospitality.”
FIFA have already visited Krasnodar, Rostov, St Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Moscow and Yekaterinburg.
Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Saransk, Samara and Volgograd will constitute the rest of the tour planned for the end of June.
The final decision on the host cities will be made by FIFA in September.
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