Russia's preparation for 2018 World Cup ahead of schedule: FIFA

Russia's preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup are ahead ofthe schedule, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Tuesday.

"Concerning the report I have received, Russia is far in advance," Blatter said when comparing Russia to Brazil on level of preparation of the tournament's infrastructure four years before the event, reports Xinhua.

He stressed that FIFA "unconditionally" supports Russia's hosting of the World Cup and the football association "still stands strong for" the games as it "trusts the country's people and its government".

Football could not only unite Russia but show the entire world that football is stronger than any protest movement, Blatter said.

Blatter is participating in the meeting of the World Cup steering committee here, supervised by Russian president Vladimir Putin.

As the emblem for the World Cup is to be unveiled late Tuesday night, Blatter said he likes the emblem that represents "Russian heart and soul".

Putin in late August vowed not to let Russia's hosting of the games be threatened by western attempts to isolate Moscow.

The preparations for the event require the implementation of about 300 infrastructure projects in 11 host cities as well as in 20 more cities included in the visitors' accommodation service programme.

The overall cost of the World Cup is estimated at $20 billion.