The Russian Football Union (RFU) is proud to officially launch its bid campaign, thus entering the race to host the FIFA World Cup™ in either 2018 or 2022.
Presented by the Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy, Vitaly Mutko, who is also the RFU President, the bid was officially launched today at GUM Department Store, located on Red Square in one of Moscow’s most iconic buildings, with a ceremony unveiling the logo of Bidding Nation Russia as well as of the official website. Goalkeeping legend Rinat Dasayev was appointed as the first Ambassador of the Russian World Cup bid.
With the full backing of the national government the organizational team is now in place to bring the FIFA World Cup™ to Russia for the first time in history and establish Russia as an international centre for football.
Important initiative for entire nation
“This is an important initiative, not only for football, but for the entire nation”, said Minister Mutko. “Hosting the World Cup will have a positive impact upon many millions of Russian youth and create a legacy of sporting, economic and personal growth through football”.
Minister Mutko added: “Russia opens up a historic choice to FIFA as it represents a host country from the former Soviet bloc to inspire Eastern Europe. It also gives the opportunity to place the 2018/2022 World Cup in a country blending the best of Europe and Asia, offering fans a compelling, exciting host country that is known for its traditional hospitality”.
Host cities grouped in clusters
In terms of host cities, Russia is planning to propose in their bid 14 cities and 15 stadiums (cf. separate media release). Grouped by clusters the prospective host cities are:
Northern Cluster:
St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad
Central Cluster:
Moscow, Podolsk
Southern Cluster:
Krasnodar, Rostov-on-Don, Sochi
Volga Cluster:
Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Yaroslavl, Samara, Volgograd, Saransk
East of Ural:
Yekaterinburg
Nationwide growth of the game
The bid is expressive of Russia’s affection for football and builds off the Russian national team’s strong 3rd place showing in the EURO 2008 tournament. The world’s favourite sport is also Russia’s favourite sport, and with more than 180 nationalities and 11 time zones stretching across the vast continent, no other country presents the chance to share this great event with so diverse a population.
Nationwide growth of the game at all levels is expected to continue. The number of people involved into football in Russia at various levels and in different categories today is about 5.8 million, which is slightly more than 4.0 % of the overall population of the country.
Rinat Dasayev commented: “For me as player to participate in the World Cup was a highlight of my career. To contribute as an ambassador to being awarded the right to host this event would be an even higher achievement”.
One of twelve countries vying for a chance to host the tournament, Russia’s bid team (cf. separate media release) is now preparing the next major milestones, including the compilation of the bid book due to be delivered to FIFA on 14 May 2010.
For more information:
Russian Football Union Media Office Phone: +7-495-926-13-00 Fax: +7-495-926-13-05
E-mail: [email protected]
International Media Coordinator Andreas Herren Mobile: +41 (79) 799 0046
E-mail: [email protected]
