Vladimir Putin discussed preparations for 2018 FIFA World Cup with organizing committee

UFA, 5 October 2017. /Bashinform News Agency, Olga Murtazina/. Vladimir Putin chaired a joint meeting in the Kremlin of the Council for the Development of the Physical Culture and Sport and the Supervisory Board of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Organizing Committee.

Before the meeting, the President attended an exhibition on preparations at stadiums and airports of host cities for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

In his speech, he noted that the organizers should analyze some of the weak points, which had taken place in previous games. "There were, for example, in public transport and sale of memorabilia. There were problems with providing navigation for the fans and their comfort at the stadiums. All this must be taken into account during the preparations for the 2018 World Cup, especially because the tournament is much larger than the Confederation, and requires more attention and effective coordination of all the agencies involved", Vladimir Putin said. As for the readiness of the facilities, "In general, things are quite satisfactory although there are some delays. They are not critical and nothing is awful. But as always, as I have said many times and would like to repeat today, it is hardest to resolve tasks in the final stage".

The World Cup occupies a special place in international competitions. It lasts for one month. Thirty two teams take part in it, playing 64 matches. Over 2.5 million spectators are expected to attend.

According to the Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation Pavel Kolobkov, currently, the program provides for 260 facilities and activities, with 84 of them completed. Seven stadiums, 78 training grounds, 15 hotels, 31 transport facilities, 10 health facilities, 3 energy facilities and 10 utility facilities are currently being built or renovated. At 12 sites, work has fallen behind schedule at some stages.

In a high degree of readiness are the stadiums in Yekaterinburg - 85%, in Rostov-on-Don - 86%, and Kaliningrad - 83%. Volgograd and Nizhny Novgorod show 73% of readiness, Saransk - 67%, Samara - 65%.