MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin and FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Saturday launched the World Cup trophy on a tour across Russia ahead of the 2018 championship, with the head of world soccer’s governing body lauding Russia’s readiness for the event.
“To the people of Russia, I tell them: enjoy and celebrate the trophy tour and then the World Cup. And to the people of the world, I tell them: come to Russia, enjoy Russia and celebrate the World Cup,” Infantino said, standing next to Putin on a stage in Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium.
