Mutko may drop RFU presidency after taking deputy PM job
October 21 – Newly appointed Russian deputy prime minister Vitaly Mutko, promoted from sports minister, says he may stand down as president of the Russian Football Union (RFU).
Russia 2018
Russia 2018 (it’s still coming) names Simonyan as World Cup ambassador
October 13 – At last news from Russia that isn’t about doping, racist incidents or national team players going wild in Monaco nightclubs. Russia 2018 organiser have named Nikita Simonyan as a World Cup ambassador.
Russians promise delivery of centrepiece St Petersburg stadium by year end
September 12 – The seemingly never-ending saga surrounding of the build of the Krestovsky football stadium, also known as the Zenit Arena, in St Petersburg, may at last be coming to a conclusion with Russia having given guarantees to FIFA that the stadium will be completed by the end of this year.
Russia hope Cherchesov will inject winning ways in time for 2018 showcase
August 12 – Russia’s search for a winning national coach to prepare the team for the 2018 World Cup has ended with the appointment for former international goalkeeper Stanislav Cherchesov (pictured).
Under fire Mutko says no reason to move 2018 World Cup over doping scandal
July 25 – Russian sports minister Vitaly Mukto, barred from attending the Rio Olympics because of the country’s doping scandal, says he sees no reasons why the 2018 World Cup, which he is in charge of organising, should be switched.
Putin steps in and orders speed up in build of World Cup stadia
July 20 – Russian President Vladimir Putin has mandated officials in St. Petersburg to speed up construction of the city’s new stadium that has been earmarked as a key 2018 World Cup venue.
Mutko under pressure as doping ‘SAVE’ orders look like a big ball dropped
By Andrew Warshaw
July 19 – Russia’s staging of the 2018 World Cup looks certain to come under increasing scrutiny despite a typically hands-off FIFA response to how the damning doping scandal that has rocked the sporting world might affect its flagship event.
Russia 2018 hospitality packages top out at $3m for the big hitters
By David Owen
July 14 – Match Hospitality has circulated details of luxury packages for attending the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, with the highest prices for advertised products leaving little change from $3 million.
2018 stadia on schedule as campaign launches to win Russian hearts and minds
By Paul Nicholson in Paris
July 8 – With 705 days to go to the opening of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, organisers have said that stadia will be completed on time and that Russia will be ready to host “the best World Cup ever”.
Russia promises 2018 will be safe, and ticket prices cheap…for Russians
By Andrew Warshaw
July 7 – Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko (pictured) insists his country has learned from the bitter experience of hooliganism at Euro 2016 and that the 2018 World Cup will be safe for all supporters to attend.
Infantino reassures Russia and suggests 2018 will reboot economy
By Andrew Warshaw
June 2 – Making sure he avoided any slip-ups after a tempestuous and controversial last few weeks, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, on a trip to 2018 World Cup hosts Russia, said the country was on track to stage the tournament despite economic problems caused by sanctions and the shrinking oil price.
Sorokin says Russia 2018 is not under threat, Rostov get visit from dope testers
May 13 – The head of Russia’s 2018 World Cup organising committee Alexey Sorokin says he has been assured by new FIFA president Gianni Infantino the tournament will go ahead as planned despite allegations of corruption and the still be to be concluded Swiss probe into the bid process for both 2018 and 2022.
Russia 2018 names venues for the Fan Fest sites across 11 cities
April 28 – The locations of the Official FIFA Fan Fest venues in the 11 cities hosting Russia 2018 World Cup matches have been announced by the Local Organising Committee. In total the sites will have a combined capacity of 267,000.
Infantino worries about his bet as Moscow prepares to communicate
April 22 – New FIFA president Gianni Infantino joked that his only remaining question over the Russia 2018 World Cup on his recent visit was on his “bet with Minister Mutko if I will speak better Russian or he better English in 2018.” Mutko may not have mastered the English-language but the Russians are increasingly showing they have a grip of World Cup communication.
Infantino targets Russia 2018 for debut of World Cup video refs
By Andrew Warshaw
April 20 – New FIFA president Gianni Infantino says video replays could be introduced in time for the 2018 World Cup.