Ildar Khalikov: Tatarstan has enough potential to host World Football Cup – 2018 at the highest level

“Tatarstan has enough potential to hold matches of the World Football Cup – 2018 at the highest level,” Tatarstan PM Ildar Khalikov said during the presentation of Kazan – the city bidding for the right to host matches of the World Football Cup – 2018 at the Kazan city hall.

The presentation was held within the framework of inspection visit of delegation of the organizing committee “Russia-2018” with participation of FIFA experts on selection of cities-organizers of the football cup 2018.

To the point, the delegation of the organizing committee “Russia-2018” led by Director General Alexei Sorokin, FIFA officials led by Chief of the organization department of the competitions Jürgen Müller arrived in Kazan in the morning. They have already seen passenger terminal 1A at the Kazan international airport, met with the Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, visited the construction site of football stadium for 45000 seats and the Millennium Square meant for holding the festival of fans.

Ildar Khalikov welcomed members of the delegation on the hospitable Tatarstan land where two big international sport events will be held in the nearest future – World Universiade 2013 and World Aquatics Championship 2015.

The Tatarstan PM reminded about today’s meeting with the Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov at the republican Government House where they discussed main issues regarding Tatarstan’s preparation for hosting World Football Cup in case of winning the right.

Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin made presentation about Kazan in English.

In accordance with one of the main FIFA requirements, a sports arena for 40 thousand seats is needed for holding matches of group stage, round of 16 and quarter-final. Thus, the football stadium for 45000 seats will become main arena for holding games in Kazan. The object is to be commissioned in December 2012 within the limits of preparation for XXVII World summer Universiade 2013. Besides, four stadiums will be used by teams as training fields, i.e. the Central stadium, Rubin stadium, Trudovye reservy, and Miras.

For the moment, 13 Russian cities and 15 stadiums are bidding for the right to host matches of the world championship.