26 Jan 2009Russia joins 2018 World Cup race

Football Leagues/ Association and Governance

Russia has become the latest country to make official its stated intention of bidding to host the 2018 World Cup, it was confirmed last week.

Under Fifa rules, countries must formally register their interest by February 2nd, a path which has so far been taken by England, the US, Qatar, Australia and joint bidders Belgium and the Netherlands, and Portugal and Spain.

Russian Football Union president Vitaly Mutko revealed that Russia will express its desire to host the tournament to world football's governing body, but also stressed that it has many objectives to meet if the bid is to be successful.

He said: "In the near future we are set to make our first move and ask Fifa for all the necessary documents to prepare a bid for the right to host the 2018 World Cup.

"This issue is very complicated and demands a big investment. But we will definitely make the first step of submitting an application."

Interested nations must be able to provide up to 12 stadia which are capable of holding a minimum of 40,000 spectators for the group stages and 80,000 for the opening match and the final.

Russia has never hosted a major international tournament, although the old USSR submitted a bid for the 1990 World Cup, which was eventually won by Italy.

© Copyright