Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday he hoped that South Africa would give its support to Russia's bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
"We are pushing for our country to host the World Cup. I hope it will happen, including with the help of our South African friends," Medvedev said at a joint news conference with South African President Jacob Zuma in Moscow.
Russia is competing with England, Australia, the United States, Spain and Portugal and Belgium and the Netherlands to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022. Japan, South Korea and Qatar are bidding just for the second tournament.
Russia and South Africa, which hosted the World Cup this year, plan to expand cultural, touristic, scientific and sports exchanges.
"I have just expressed to the president my admiration for how the recent World Cup was organized in South Africa. This was an outstanding football event and we followed every development," Medvedev said.
"Although the Russian team did not play, there were many other high class teams that showed a high-level football," he added.
FIFA will appoint hosts for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups on December 2. The 2018 tournament is expected to be given to a European bidder, meaning the 2022 event would be held on a different continent.
MOSCOW, August 5 (RIA Novosti)
