The second week of October promises to be extremely rich for Russian football. Experts are calling "historic" the Russia-Germany qualifying match that will take place on Saturday in Luzhniki Stadium. If Russia wins, Hiddink's team is virtually assured participation in the final round of the FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa.

In the run-up to the match, an official ceremony will take place on Friday at GUM department store on the Red Square to present the Russian bid to hold the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup™. This will launch a large-scale campaign to promote the country's candidacy, concluding in a year with a vote by the FIFA executive committee. On the eve of the presentation Russian football received outstanding news concerning the decision of the Presidium of the Russian Federation government to officially register the bid committee "Russia 2018/2022."

The main information program on Channel One, "Time," devoted a special feature story to the Presidium's decision, which was made during Vladimir Putin's presidency of the Russian Federation government. The now prime minister's words about the fact that "Russia has fully earned the right… to pursue the World Championship," were publicized by all the major mass media of the country.

Having wished success to the Russian national team in the important Saturday match, Vladimir Putin confirmed the government's readiness, even in such complicated times "to continue everything that has been done (in football) recently. I mean the construction of football fields, the building of new facilities, and the creation of new athletic sections, especially for children and young adults. We will further expand this sport."

For more information:

Russian Football Union Media Office
Phone: +7-495-926-13-00
Fax: +7-495-926-13-05
E-mail: info@rfs.ru

International Media Coordinator
Andreas Herren
Mobile: +41 (79) 799 0046
E-mail: andreas.herren@externuscomm.ch