MOSCOW: Russia will abolish entry visas for fans, players and referees during the 2018 World Cup that will be hosted there, President Vladimir Putin told Itar-tass news agency.
"Russia plans to take the FIFA World Cup a step further in some areas. For example, we passed a federal law establishing a special visa regime for foreigners who help organize the 2018 championship, and enabling not only the official participants, such as the athletes, referees, coaches and others, but also the fans to visit Russia without visas right before and during the competition. The history of football championships has never seen anything like this before," Putin said ahead of a trip to Latin America that will see him attend the World Cup final in Brazil and the ceremony of passing the tournament's baton from Brazil to Russia.
"In 2018, Russia will host this most popular global sporting event for the first time in its history," he said promising that the country's authorities would "do everything possible to give the world an unforgettable football celebration and show genuine Russian hospitality."
Russia failed to make the knockout stage in the ongoing World Cup, falling behind Belgium and Algeria. The country won the right to host the 2018 event back in 2010 beating England as well as two joint bids from Belgium and Netherlands, and Portugal and Spain. (QNA)
