I.Metshin: "Hosting the World Cup is a great honor and responsibility"

(KZN.RU, September 30, by Renat Shirmanov) Kazan joined the list of cities that will host the 2018 World Cup. The capital of Tatarstan will do everything possible to hold the  soccer festival at the highest level. This was announced by Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin after the list of the host cities of the upcoming championship was made public.

The city list was announced live on Channel One. The TV audience was greeted by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, who praised Russia for its professionalism ensuring  preparation for the World Cup ahead of schedule.

As the final FIFA list was announced, the host cities were put on the air. Kazan broadcast live from its Central Stadium athletics arena. Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov praised Kazan's readiness to accept any of the world championships. In his turn, Mayor Ilsur Metshin assured all that the soccer championship will be held at the highest level.

"With all my heart I would like to congratulate Kazan residents and soccer fans in particular on this achievent. To host the largest sports forum in the world is a great honor and also a great responsibility. Although we have done a lot in the way of preparation for the Universiade, much remains to be done. Next year, we will build a new soccer stadium with a capacity of 45,000 spectators. We'll be hosting the best teams in the world – from Brazil, Spain, Argentina, England, Italy and France. We'll do all in our power to make sure that Kazan performs its duties as a host for this soccer festival with honor,” concluded Ilsur Metshin.

Apart from Kazan, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Sochi, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Rostov-on-Don, Kaliningrad, Volgograd, Saransk and Moscow made it to the final list of the 2018 World Cup host cities.