Sep 23, 2015 Russia recently marked the 1000-day countdown to the start of the 2018 World Cup. The event, which held at the Moscow’s Red Square, was designed to give people a sneak-peak into what the tournament will look like.
Gathered in front of the walls of the Kremlin, fans watched a tournament featuring under-16 teams from Italy, Spain and Germany and Russia. In attendance were former players Lothar Matthaus of Germany, Italy’s defender Gianluca Zambrotta and Spain’s Fernando Hierro.
Speaking at the event, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said:
“We always welcome and are happy to meet visitors. We promise to make a spectacular sporting event. I’m sure it will make world sporting and football history. It will bring together the big, united, international football family. Good luck to everyone. Wishing you all the very best. See you in Russia in 2018, good luck,” he said.
Colin Smith, FIFA’s Director of Competitions, also speaking at the event said:
“It’s a celebration of football, it marks a significant milestone in our progress towards the tournament. What better way to celebrate it than here, on the Red Square with the upcoming football match with the youth teams from the three last world champions,” said “It’s a milestone for the public of Russia, it’s a milestone for football fans around the world, and it’s also a milestone for us in terms of getting the operation ready. So it’s all about the celebration and a build-up of excitement towards the summer of 2018.”
After the games in Red Square, fans moved on to near-by Manezhnaya Square where they caught their first glimpse of the beautifully designed countdown clock, showing the days left until the 2018 World Cup kicks off.