World Cup 2018 Could Have Positive Impact on Russian, Global Economy

The 2018 World Cup in Russia could have a positive effect on both the country's and the world's economy, despite the ongoing challenging economic situation, the head of the world football governing body FIFA, Gianni Infantino, said Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, Infantino arrived in Russia for the first time since being elected in February.

"Everyone knows, of course, the economic situation and we have received official guarantees that this will not have any impact [on the preparations to the World Cup]. I think… that the World Cup can contribute to boost not only the football movement, but the general economy here, in Russia… For an important country like Russia to organize such an event in such a period of time it can only have a positive impact not only [on] Russian, but [on] world economy [as well]," Infantino told reporters.

He added that the World Cup in Russia would be the first one where the video assistance would be used to solve controversial incidents during the matches.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup will be held from June 14 to July 15 in 11 Russian cities, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Rostov-on-Don, Sochi and Volgograd.