"In Brazil, South Africa, Korea and Japan even in Germany there were problems, but here it works well and I'm a happy president to work here. Not a single problem," Blatter told R-Sport.
Earlier in April, Russian government agencies proposed saving 27 billion rubles ($522 million) on hotel construction for 2018 World Cup organizers and fans by decreasing the number of facilities and relocating some of the hotels. Blatter noted that certain cuts are being made due to the economic situation but all are fully justifiable.
"We need an organization of five stars but we don't need five star hotels everywhere. The economic problem will be overcome, because now Mr. Putin is making moves towards Western Europe, especially with Turkey and now with Greece. That means that Russia is not isolated and it is good. This gives confidence to us," Blatter said.
The World Cup, the world's preeminent football championship, will take place from June 14 to July 15, 2018 in 12 stadiums in 11 Russian cities: Moscow, Ekaterinburg, Kaliningrad, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Samara, Saransk, Sochi, St. Petersburg and Volgograd.
Politicians who are not very thrilled that Russia will host the 2018 Football World Cup can sit home, Joseph Blatter said.
“If there are some politicians who aren’t very thrilled that we’re sending the World Cup to Russia, then as I always say: Then stay home and we’ll raise the biggest world championship in football to its feet,” Blatter told Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi.
Creating a training base for the 2018 World Cup Championship in the city of Grozny is a good decision, FIFA President said.
Last week, Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said that FIFA approved the idea of creating training facilities in the capital of Chechen Republic.
“I have no concerns and I'm sure that Grozny will be a good solution definitely. I've been involved in organization of different World Cups for 40 years and I have never been so happy than to work with the organizing committee in Russia,” Blatter told R-Sport.
Blatter added that four stages are finished and two more will be completed in the near future.
“It is easy with chairman of the committee sports minister Mutko, especially with Alexei Sorokin and everything is headed by the president Putin. The World Cup in Russia is the national project and it works well, " he stated.
On December 2, 2010, Russia was awarded the right to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The football championship will take place from June 14 to July 15, 2018 in 11 Russian cities: Moscow, Ekaterinburg, Kaliningrad, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Samara, Saransk, Sochi, St. Petersburg and Volgograd.
