Moscow — Fifa boss Gianni Infantino said on Thursday Russia was "absolutely ready" to host the World Cup and thanked President Vladimir Putin for his commitment to the football showpiece. Infantino met Putin in the Black Sea resort of Sochi as Russia races against the clock to put the finishing touches on preparations for the June 14- July 15 finals. The first World Cup staged in eastern Europe will be the most expensive and comes in the heat of flaring tensions between Russia and the West. It has also been shadowed by delays in stadium construction and fears ranging from hooliganism to racist chants at matches. But Infantino lavished praise on Russia’s preparations and said the tournament was shaping up to be the best one yet. "You are working to make this World Cup the best World Cup ever," Infantino told Putin during a nationally televised meeting. "The feedback from all our experts at FIFA are extremely positive. "And this shows that Russia is absolutely ready to host the world ...
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