Volgograd, Kaliningrad and Yekaterinburg face 2018 World Cup axe
July 21 – Three Russian cities have been identified as being those which face being cut from the country’s 2018 World Cup programme.
Russia 2018
Russians confused as Blatter suggests cutting 2018 stadia from 12 to 10
By Paul Nicholson and Andrew Warshaw
July 16 – Comments made by FIFA President Sepp Blatter at the World Cup closing press conference in Brazil have caused confusion in Russia both with the 2018 World Cup organisers and amongst the media.
Russia suspends alcohol ad ban as World Cup focus switches to 2018
By Mark Baber
July 10 – Russia’s Federation Council on Wednesday passed a bill which will suspend the ban on alcohol advertising which had initially been brought in to help tackle the country’s most acute public health crisis – alcohol abuse. The new measure allows TV advertising of alcohol, but only in conjunction with sports events.
Russian audit chamber finds $88m world cup stadium design overspend
June 23 – Cost control of World Cup stadium build and accusations of corruption is not an issue confined to Brazil. Russia’s state Audit Chamber has found that the design work for its 2018 stadia has been over-priced by as much as 3 billion rubles ($88 million).
Russia expects 1 million visitors for 2018 World Cup
January 29 – While attention and nervousness surround preparations and fast-approaching deadlines for the 2014 Brazil World Cup, the Russians are more quietly and methodically making their preparations for 2018.
Russia’s proposed $360m Nizhny stadium closes out design phase
January 22 – Russian stadium preparations for the 2018 World Cup are progressing with the design for the 45,000-seat stadium in Nizhny Novgorod said to be almost complete. So far only two of Russia’s venues for 2018 are ready, though neither have yet staged an official football match.
Russia allocates $34m for 2018 training facilities
By Paul Nicholson
January 13 – Russia’s Cabinet of Ministers announced yesterday that the country will spend about $34 million on developing training grounds for the 2018 football World Cup.
FIFA in Russia to discuss 2018 progress, but no racism sanctions imminent
By Andrew Warshaw
October 28 – FIFA are to seek assurances from Russia’s 2018 World Cup organisers that they are taking adequate steps to tackle racism but insist there is no chance of the country being stripped of host status.The issue of racism was once again plunged into the spotlight last week when fans of CSKA Moscow verbally abused Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure during a Champions Cup clash, resulting in UEFA opening disciplinary proceedings with a verdict likely on Wednesday.
Russians slash World Cup stadium budget by £389m, but cuts are criticised
By Mark Baber
October 15 – Plans by Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development to slash the costs of the construction budget for the 2018 World Cup have been criticised by the influential State Duma Chairman of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Katrenko, as short-sighted.
Russia 2018 review reports good progress and highlights legacy
By Andrew Warshaw
May 13 – Leaders of Russia’s 2018 World Cup Organising Committee have given a ringing endorsement of progress but have stayed clear of controversial subjects like racism and hooliganism.
Russian revolution promises new, safe, stadia and no visas for 2018 World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent, in Manchester
April 11 – Russian football may have been blighted by hooliganism, racism and other misdemeanours on and off the field, but the whole image of the country will have changed by the time the World Cup takes place, said Alexander Djordjadze, deputy CEO of Russia’s World Cup organising committee, speaking at the Soccerex conference in Manchester today.
Populous to design Rostov-on-Don Stadium ahead of 2018 World Cup
By Tom Degun
December 11 – Architecture firm Populous, who created the London 2012 Olympic Stadium in Stratford, has won the contract to design the Rostov-on-Don Stadium in Russia, which is one of twelve venues that will be used at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Russia begins drawing up multi-billion dollar infrastructure plan for 2018 World Cup
By Duncan Mackay
December 4 – A massive infrastructure project has been launched in Russia to ensure that the country is ready to host the 2018 World Cup.
Unexploded bomb discovered near new Russia 2018 World Cup stadium in Moscow
By Duncan Mackay
November 26 – A unexploded World War Two bomb has been discovered on the site of a new stadium being built in Moscow for the 2018 World Cup.
New debate over future of 1980 Moscow Olympic Stadium after calls for it to be knocked down and rebuilt
By Duncan Mackay
November 25 – There is a row in Russia over whether Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, which hosted the 1980 Olympics, should be demolished and rebuilt in time for the 2018 FIFA World Cup or saved because of its historic importance.