Ilsur Metshin: “The best of the best of the football world will be here with us”

(KZN.RU, December 1, Anton Nozdrin). The World Cup 2018 will open on June 14 with a match between the national teams of Russia and Saudi Arabia at the stadium “Luzhniki” in Moscow. Kazan will host the group C (France - Australia), Group B (Iran - Spain), Group H (Poland - Colombia), Group F (South Korea - Germany), and 1/8 and 1/4 finals games. The rivals and the cities, in which they will play, were determined today at the final draw of the tournament in the Moscow Kremlin with the participation of Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, Gianni Infantino, the President of the International Football Association (FIFA), Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the RT, Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, and other officials.

Before the ceremony, Vladimir Putin and Gianni Infantino welcomed the participants and guests of the event. Vladimir Putin noted that Russia is looking forward to the championship and intends to hold it at the highest level so that the leading players could show all their skills. “And of course, we believe that the championship will leave the unforgettable impressions to those who come to Russia to support their teams. They will not only see the game of world football leaders but also get acquainted with Russian culture, our history and unique nature. They will be able to experience our traditional cordiality and openness”, the head of state said.

V. Putin reminded that the games of the tournament will be held in 11 cities and fans will be able to visit several regions of Russia. “I believe that the upcoming World Cup will be a strong factor in the development of this sport both in the Russian regions and throughout the world. We will do everything to make the tournament a great sporting event so it unites the big and friendly international football family even more”, he marked. The President of the country noted that the champion will be determined not by the lot and not the chance. The winner will be the one who will prove his skill, will withstand a tense struggle and give all his strength to victory. The President wished all the teams participating in the championship good luck and invited fans from all over the world to Russia.

Gianni Infantino thanked the country's leadership for preparing for the championship. The President of the FIFA noted that everyone who comes to the tournament will understand that Russia is a friendly country and it is possible to celebrate football together with the Russian people who are waiting for this holiday. “The experience of staying in all 11 cities will be positive and magnificent for everyone who comes here in the summer”, he said.

Gary Lineker, the famous English footballer, and Marina Komandnaya, the Russian TV presenter, held a draw ceremony. Assistants were football stars, world champions of different years and team leaders Russian Nikita Simonyan, Englishman Gordon Banks, Uruguayan Diego Forlan, Argentinian Diego Maradona, Frenchman Laurent Blanc, Brazilian Cafu, Spaniard Carles Puyol, and Italian Fabio Cannavaro.

As a result of the draw, 32 teams have been distributed. The group A included teams from Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uruguay. The group B made up the national teams of Portugal, Spain, Morocco, and Iran. France, Australia, Peru, Denmark are in the group C. The group D consisted of Argentina Iceland, Croatia, and Nigeria, the group E includes Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, and Serbia. The group F is Germany, Mexico, Sweden, and South Korea, the group G is Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, and England. Poland, Senegal, Colombia, and Japan are in the group H.

The opening match of the championship will be held on June 14 in Moscow at the stadium “Luzhniki” between the national teams of Russia and Saudi Arabia. Kazan will host matches of France-Australia, Iran-Spain, Poland-Colombia, South Korea-Germany, and 1/8 and 1/4 finals games.

Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the RT, and Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, observed the drawing ceremony. I. Metshin commented on the draw. He noted that the leaders of world football will come to the capital of Tatarstan from France, Germany, Spain, Colombia, and Poland. “The best of the best of the football world will come to us”, said the Mayor of Kazan. I. Metshin also praised the group of the Russian national team.

"This is a historic event. As a fan, I am overwhelmed by the feelings of the upcoming big football festival. As the Mayor of the city-organizer, I understand that we have a great task and responsibility. This is another test for the strength of city services and the entire team of our republic, headed by the president. There is a joint, pleasant work. We are looking forward to it because it’s the crown of world-class sports events”, said Ilsur Metshin.

The World Cup-2018 will be held in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ekaterinburg, Kaliningrad, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Samara, Saransk, Sochi, and Volgograd from June 14 to July 15.