Russia 2018: "Began our journey nine years ago, today we're ready to welcome the world" (A. Sorokin)

"We are very happy and very honoured to host this conference here in the capital of France. It is now 20 years since the wonderful story of France '98, and that great moment of French football. So France remains a great inspiration for us as hosts of this summer's tournament. We are thrilled to welcome the French team to Russia next month. For Russia 2018, we began our journey nine years ago, with many projects, and today we are ready to welcome the world to our country," stated Alexey Sorokin (RUS), managing director of the Local Organising Committee for Russia 2018, at the Hôtel Plaza-Athenée in Paris (FRA) on 17/05/2018.

Alexey Sorokin was accompanied at this press conference to introduce the latest updates to the preparations for the 21^st World Cup, organised in Russia from 14/06 to 15/07/2018, by a delegation from the Embassy of Russia in France, and Florence Hardouin, the deputy general manager of the FFF.

"We are confident that the stadiums will be secure. The Fan ID registration naturally helps us know exactly who the spectators are at each match. About terrorism, this is…