Russia 99 percent ready for World Cup ―FIFA president

FIFA President, Gianni infantino (left) and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick at a press briefing after the conclusion of FIFA Summit held at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island on Tuesday in Lagos. Photo; Sylvester Okoruwa.

President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino has said that Russia are about 99 percent ready to host the FIFA World Cup next summer.

The quadrennial championship will take place from June 14 to July 15 across 11 stadiums in the European country.

Infantino, while speaking in Lagos at the post–FIFA Executive Football Summit press conference in Lagos on Tuesday, said Russia was almost ready for the mundial.

“I met with President [Vladimir] Putin a few days ago and I can tell you that Russia is 99 per cent ready for the 21st FIFA World Cup.

“We are going to have a great FIFA World Cup in Russia this summer.

“Of course, there are a few paintings to be done and some bolts and knots to be tied in some venues, but on the whole they are ready,” the FIFA president said. Nigeria will be making their sixth appearance in Russia following their debut at the USA ’94 World Cup.

On Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the FIFA president said he was not ruling out the possibility of its being used for the first time in the World Cup in the summer.

“This is not cast in stone, as the meeting of IFAB (International Football Association Board) of March 3 will take a decision on this. The signs are positive. I used to be skeptical about the VAR but statistics now show 99% perfection, which is better than when we started,” he said.