Russia 2018: "The preparations for the World Cup have highest priority for us" (Vladimir Putin)

"The preparations for the FIFA World Cup have highest priority for us, we will do everything to support you," said Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, while receiving Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, in Moscow (RUS) on 20/04/2016.

During a one-hour session, Gianni Infantino thanked the Head of State and Russian political authorities for their support to the two competitions to be held in Russia, the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2018 World Cup: "I have seen the progress Russia made and although I have not yet staged a FIFA World Cup I was involved in the organisation of four European Championships. As such, I know what enormous work is behind the staging of a FIFA World Cup," stated the FIFA president.

"What I have seen makes me very confident that we will organise the greatest event in football as the best ever in history. In 2017 and 2018 the world will look at Russia and together as a team we will make sure that all will be great," added Gianni Infantino.

Gianni Infantino spoke to the upper house of Russian Parliament, on 20/04/2016

• Vladimir Putin announced that he…