A One Stop Shop for the Culture and History of Russia for the 2018 World Cup
By Carolina Herrera
“This massive project must unite the efforts of the government, business, nongovernmental organizations and fans. I have no doubt that we will rise to the occasion. We will host one of the most exciting World Cups in the history of football.”
Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation
This summer the World Cup, an international association football competition that happens every four years, will take place in Russia. After submitting its candidacy in early 2009, Russia, the largest country in the world, was selected by the FIFA Executive Committee, beating out England, Spain and Portugal, and the Netherlands. The 2018 World Cup will be the first World Cup to be held in Eastern Europe. For Russia, the World Cup functions as an opportunity for the country to continue to emerge from the collapse of the Soviet Union, as well as a chance to further develop their infrastructure.
“We need some sort of a unifying idea that will inspire colossal number of people. The World Cup may become the idea that will unite the efforts of many Russians. The result will be a completely transformed country.”
Alexei Sorokin, General Director of the Local Organizing Committee Russia 2018
Thirty-two teams will be participating the 2018 World Cup. Fourteen national teams, including Russia, will represent the European zone, five national teams will play for the African zone, ten national teams will represent Asia and South America, and then three teams will participate from the North American zone. Each of these countries has their own stories, political systems, cultural traditions, and styles of play; however, football, a unifying and universal sport, has the ability to transcend borders, bring together seemingly disparate peoples, both players and fans, from various parts of the globe. As a result, every four years, the World Cup attracts a global fanbase that exceeds any other sporting event in existence. This blog functions as your “one stop shop” for everything you need to know if you plan on traveling to Russia to witness this global spectacle. It is also a useful resource those who might want additional information into Russian culture, history, daily life, and must see sights. I hope you find this guide useful for your trip to Russia this summer, and that you enjoy every second of this extraordinary global event.
Russian Football: A Brief Overview
Setting the Stage: 2018 FIFA World Cup
Russia’s Squad for the 2018 World Cup
Ready for the Pitch: Russia’s Gear for the World Cup
Beyond the Pitch: Exploring Some of Russia’s cities
Sources:
SoccerBible. “FIFA Reveal Russia World Cup 2018 Official Poster.” SoccerBible. Accessed April 19, 2018. https://www.soccerbible.com/news/2017/fifa-reveal-russia-world-cup-2018-official-poster/.
