Infantino anticipates big success for 2018 World Cup

Moscow, Dec 1 (IANS) FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Friday anticipated a big success for the 2018 World Cup, which is to be held in Russia.

Infantino's remarks came hours before making the 2018 World Cup draw in the Kremlin in Moscow. The World Cup draw is a process by which the teams participating in next year's World Cup will learn their original starting groups and opponents, reports Efe.

"From what I've seen I am convinced that Russia 2018 will be the best World Cup ever. Everything is ready, and what is not ready will be ready very soon," Infantino said at a press conference.

"Everyone who will come to Russia will discover a welcoming and warm country, a country that wants to celebrate football with the whole world," he added.

Infantino highlighted the commitment of all the shareholders in next year's World Cup.

He praised the Luzhniki stadium, where the inaugural World Cup match and the final are scheduled to be played.

Infantino said he was excited to witness his first World Cup draw as FIFA president.

"I will watch the draw as a football fan but also as FIFA President. It's an emotional moment for me. There are more than 200 countries watching this event," he said.

"Everyone is starting to talk about the World Cup, who will play whom, who will be the surprise teams? This discussion will guide us from now until next year," he added.