Speeches and Interviews of the Permanent Representative

Statement by Alexander Lukashevich, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation,

at the event on the occasion of FIFA World Cup opening ceremony,

14 June 2018

Excellences, colleagues, friends!

Thank you for accepting our kind invitation to share our joy of this exceptional sport event. For me personally, the number of our guests today is also a very telling confirmation that there’re many issues that unite us all. Welcome!

Among many excellent sports disciplines football enjoys a special, or even a unique place. A person who has once given his heart to football will stay faithful to it for life. Maybe because it’s one of the games that accompany us since childhood, when many were chasing football balls in a nearby yard, or because it’s one of the games that clearly show us that it’s the team that matters above all and no matter how good or talented you may be, but only through combined efforts we can achieve results.

Football has become the game of millions. And we in Russia are exceptionally proud to host FIFA World Cup in 11 cities in different parts of the country. While preparing for this challenging task my country has strived for the Championship to become a celebration, filled with hospitality, passion and emotions, an event reminding once again that there are much more things bringing us closer than those which divide us. Indeed, sport should be beyond politics.

We hope that the opening World Cup will turn out in to an unforgettable experience for nearly four hundred thousand foreign guests visiting Russia and millions who will be watching it on TV. We have done our best to ensure that all our guests feel at home in Russia. And here, together with kind support of Secretariat (and Elke Lidarik, especially) we’ve decided to organize a “corner” of happiness and joy for those who cherish the game. As announced by the Chairman of the Permanent Council, my good friend Alessandro Azzoni at the last PC, all FIFA World Cup matches will be broadcast live here.

Now I invite you to join us in watching the Opening ceremony, which will be followed by cocktail drinks and Tombola. As we say in Russia: “Feel our love”.

We wish good luck to all the teams. And let the strongest win!