You know, observing this Cup I get huge pleasure from foreigners' impressions of Russia.
A lot of stereotypes crashed, a lot of new they have known about Russia and Russians.
They are surprised with modern developed infrastructure though Obama said our economy is torn into pieces...
But the most important is that sport event itself is organized at the highest level and let sport win politics!
And FIFA President Gianni Infantino is confirming your point :
I think we have to invent new words to describe this World Cup. It’s really fantastic. Everything is great, the atmosphere is incredible, the people are unbelievable, the matches are great. It’s just a great event, the greatest show on Earth!
I think
Russia has really set a new benchmark. The 11 host cities are incredible. The stadiums are of course fantastic and everyone can see that. On TV, those who attend the matches, stadiums are state of the art. Each and every one of the 12 stadiums. But more than that - the cities - the cities are beautiful, they are so rich in history, in culture. Some say that many people don’t know and discover it only thanks to this World Cup. The people, 17,000 volunteers, who are the face of Russia, but not only volunteers, all the people on the streets and the restaurants and the cafes, around the cities, the policemen –men and women - in Russia are smiling.
Well, the help of President Putin and the whole Russian government has been crucial for the success of this World Cup. I have never witnessed such a big commitment from the top to the bottom finally.
Everything was impressive. I was impressed to discover a country I didn’t know so far
. I thought I knew Russia, but the realty has been exceeding all my expectations, not only about football, but
the richness of this country in terms of culture, heritage, history. And this is something that is part of humanity. It’s part of the world.
And is something the world should know as well. And the world is starting to know and is knowing now thanks to the World Cup.
No more fearing about Russia and about whatever violence, or discrimination or God knows what. Nothing of this has happened. Nothing is more far from reality. Some others were fearing that Russia is not a football country. Well, I think at the latest since this World Cup Russia is one of the biggest football countries. In the world, not only on the pitch, but also outside of the pitch.
hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world coming to Russia, celebrating on Red Square, celebrating everywhere with their shirts of their colors of their national teams, of their countries altogether, together with the Russians.
And this is the real Russia, not the Russia that some people want us to believe what it is. This is Russia, the Russia that we can see,
an open country, a welcoming country, hospitable country, a country where many millions of people are living, like in any other part of the world. And where many millions of people show that they welcome the world.
FIFA President lauds 'fantastic' Russia-hosted World Cup
