Russian President Vladimir Putin, FIFA president Joseph Blatter and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff during the official ceremony of handing over the 2018 World Cup signed certificate to Russia
Brazil hands over World Cup to Russia at Rios Maracana Stadium
From right: Russian President Vladimir Putin, FIFA president Joseph Blatter and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseffduring the official ceremony of handing over the 2018 World Cup signed certificate to Russia, July 13, 2014. (RIA Novosti / Aleksey Nikolskyi)
Published time: July 13, 2014 23:00
News in Rio de Janeiro and Brazil-The Rio Times
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff symbolically handed over the World Cup to her Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Sunday, as Russia is set to host the 2018 tournament. The two were joined by FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
The ceremony took place inside Maracana Stadium before the Germany-Argentina final in Rio de Janeiro.
“I want to congratulate President Rousseff on how the World Cup was organized,” Putin said, according to a FIFA statement. “We will do all we can to organize the event on the highest level.
Football helps to solve social problems. Our task is to create the best possible conditions for the coaches, players, experts and fans. I am grateful to President Blatter and his colleagues from FIFA for the honor to organize the World Cup, he added.
“I want to congratulate President Rousseff on how the World Cup was organized,” Putin said, according to a FIFA statement. “We will do all we can to organize the event on the highest level.
Football helps to solve social problems. Our task is to create the best possible conditions for the coaches, players, experts and fans. I am grateful to President Blatter and his colleagues from FIFA for the honor to organize the World Cup, he added.