Atmosphere building 50 days before Russia 2017

(FIFA.com) Apr 2017

• April marks 50 days exactly until the FIFA Confederations Cup gets underway on 17 June
• Four Host Cities – Kazan, Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Sochi – are eagerly waiting to welcome football fans from all over the world
• Preparations for the FIFA Confederations Cup are now in the final stages
  

At 18:00 Moscow time on Friday 28 April, it will be 50 days exactly until Russia-New Zealand kicks off at the Saint Petersburg Stadium to get the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 underway on 17 June

The four Host Cities of the Tournament of Champions – Kazan, Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Sochi – are waiting with baited breath to welcome fans from Russia and all over the world and treat them to some unforgettable football moments in an atmosphere of true Russian hospitality. The stars from Australia, Cameroon, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Chile, Germany and Russia will undoubtedly be inspired by the brand-new stadiums at the biggest sporting event of the year.

Preparations for the FIFA Confederations Cup are now in the final stages: Saint Petersburg Stadium, Kazan Arena, Spartak Stadium and Fisht Stadium are all organising test games ahead of the Tournament of Champions. Almost 6000 volunteers will be the faces of the tournament, and right now they are undergoing training in Volunteer Centres to get ready to welcome guests in a couple of months. The transport, accommodation and tourism infrastructure is almost ready to ensure people coming for the Confederations Cup arrive as comfortably, safely and enjoyably as possible.

"I hope that the stands in our modern stadiums will be full for Confederations Cup matches," said former Russia midfielder Aleksandr Mostovoi. "As a footballer, I understand how important it is for players to feel the support from fans. And lovers of the sport, both from Russia and around the world, will enjoy great football from the best teams in the world, champions of their continents. I invite everyone to Moscow, Kazan, Saint Petersburg and Sochi.

Even now, people can experience a foretaste of the festival atmosphere at the Confederations Cup in the Host Cities: this Saturday, the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 Park opens its doors for the first time in Moscow’s Muzeon Park of Arts. Every weekend over the next month, locals and visitors in Moscow, Sochi, Kazan and Saint Petersburg will be able to enjoy an exciting and varied programme at the park, including the opportunity to meet with football stars, fun competitions, football attractions and multi-media quizzes with Confederations Cup tickets as prizes. The park is open for all-comers and entrance is free.

The guest of honour in the Russian capital on 29 April and 30 April will be Marcel Desailly, the legendary former France defender who won the 1998 FIFA World Cup™ and the Confederations Cup twice in 2001 and 2003.

One of the biggest attractions at the park will be the FIFA Confederations Cup trophy on display for everyone to see and take photos of. And, of course, visitors will also be able to meet the charming wolf Zabivaka™, the Official Mascot of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™. There will also be information on how to purchase tickets to the tournament from the website FIFA.com/tickets; Confederations Cup Volunteers will be on hand to offer help and advice in this. More than 211,000 tickets have already been sold by 5 April. Ticket sales have restarted on 19 April when the Last Minute Sales phase kicked off at FIFA.com/tickets. In addition to these online sales, supporters also have the opportunity to purchase tickets at the FIFA Venue Ticketing Centres that have opened in all four FIFA Confederations Cup host cities – Saint Petersburg, Sochi, Kazan and Moscow.

After Moscow, the Confederations Cup will travel to Sochi (6-7 May), Kazan (13-14 May) and Saint Petersburg (20-21 May). In each city, stars of Russian and world football have been invited as guests of honour.

See you at the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 in 50 days’ time!