Russian president Vladimir Putin and FIFA president Sepp Blatter open proceedings at the preliminary draw for the 2018 World Cup.
Russian president Vladimir Putin and FIFA president Sepp Blatter open proceedings at the preliminary draw for the 2018 World Cup.
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Singer Polina Gagarina and conductor Valery Gergiev perform at the ceremony to mark the preliminary draw for the 2018 World Cup.
Singer Polina Gagarina and conductor Valery Gergiev perform at the ceremony to mark the preliminary draw for the 2018 World Cup.
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FIFA official Christian Unger plays his part in Saturday's draw.
FIFA official Christian Unger plays his part in Saturday's draw.
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Putin and Blatter (back right) have forged a close relationship. The Swiss has led FIFA since 1998 but decided to stand down on June 2 as football's world governing body battled two corruption scandals.
Putin and Blatter (back right) have forged a close relationship. The Swiss has led FIFA since 1998 but decided to stand down on June 2 as football's world governing body battled two corruption scandals.
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Visiting FIFA officials have been made to feel welcome at the Konstantin Palace.
Visiting FIFA officials have been made to feel welcome at the Konstantin Palace.
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Russia has had to face more questions over its record in stamping out racism after Ghanaian footballer Emmanuel Frimpong claimed he was subjected to monkey chants from Spartak Moscow fans during the opening of the Russian Premier League season.
Russia has had to face more questions over its record in stamping out racism after Ghanaian footballer Emmanuel Frimpong claimed he was subjected to monkey chants from Spartak Moscow fans during the opening of the Russian Premier League season.
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Zenit St. Petersburg's Brazilian striker Hulk has recently said racism happens at "almost every game" in the Russian league. Hulk had been named in the team of draw assistants for Saturday's event, which also included the likes of Brazilian great Ronaldo, Uruguay's Diego Forlan, Fabio Cannavaro of Italy and Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o, but FIFA said Friday due to his club commitments the Zenit star had been replaced by former Russia captain Alexey Smertin.
Zenit St. Petersburg's Brazilian striker Hulk has recently said racism happens at "almost every game" in the Russian league. Hulk had been named in the team of draw assistants for Saturday's event, which also included the likes of Brazilian great Ronaldo, Uruguay's Diego Forlan, Fabio Cannavaro of Italy and Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o, but FIFA said Friday due to his club commitments the Zenit star had been replaced by former Russia captain Alexey Smertin.
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Zenit's new stadium is still under construction. With a capacity of nearly 67,000 people, it's one of 12 stadiums hosting games at the 2018 tournament. The opening and final match will be staged at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.
Zenit's new stadium is still under construction. With a capacity of nearly 67,000 people, it's one of 12 stadiums hosting games at the 2018 tournament. The opening and final match will be staged at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.
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The Otkrytie Arena is Spartak Moscow's recently opened new home.
The Otkrytie Arena is Spartak Moscow's recently opened new home.
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A new, state-of-the-art, 40,000-capacity stadium is being built in Saransk in central Russia.
A new, state-of-the-art, 40,000-capacity stadium is being built in Saransk in central Russia.
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Sochi, which hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics, will also stage games at the 2018 World Cup.
Sochi, which hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics, will also stage games at the 2018 World Cup.
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Qualifying games for the 2018 World Cup started ahead of the preliminary draw in confederations such as CONCACAF and Asia, with Bhutan pictured here in action against China.
Qualifying games for the 2018 World Cup started ahead of the preliminary draw in confederations such as CONCACAF and Asia, with Bhutan pictured here in action against China.
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Germany is the World Cup holder. Here goalkeeper Manuel Neuer lifts the trophy after his team defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time in the 2014 final in Brazil.
Germany is the World Cup holder. Here goalkeeper Manuel Neuer lifts the trophy after his team defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time in the 2014 final in Brazil.
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Bored of football? You can always visit St. Petersburg's Faberge Museum ...
Bored of football? You can always visit St. Petersburg's Faberge Museum ...
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