Russia 2018: "European teams held sway during this unforgettable tournament" (A. Ceferin, UEFA)

"European teams held sway during an unforgettable month in Russia. Ten of Europe's 14 representatives qualified for the knockout phase; six of the eight quarter-finalists, and then all four semi-finalists were from this continent. And, in the end, France prevailed over their excellent opponents Croatia in Sunday’s thrilling final in Moscow," said Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA president (and vice-president of FIFA), at the end of the XXI World Cup on 16/07/2018.

"For the fourth time in a row, a team from Europe has captured world football’s blue-riband national team trophy. Following Italy in 2006, Spain in 2010 and Germany in 2014, it is now the turn of France to savour glory, having emerged victorious as world champions for the second time following their success on home soil in 1998," said the UEFA president.

"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the French Football Federation and its president Noël Le Graët on this wonderful achievement. Praise is also due to the Croatian Football Federation, led by its president Davor Šuker, for their team’s countless qualities…