Igor Akinfeev is an ambassador for WC-2018

Vitaly Mutko, Minister of Sports, Tourism and Youth Policy, announced today at a press conference regarding Russia's preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2018, that Igor Akinfeev, the goalkeeper of PFC CSKA and the Russian national squad, will be the first official ambassador for the championship.

'It's a great honor for me as an active sportsman as well as for my future, said Akinfeev. I hope that our venue cities will host the World Cup games with open hearts and great pleasure. As a Russian citizen I'm proud of the fact that my country will host this tournament. It's a big holiday'.