British Prime Minister David Cameron has congratulated Russia on winning the bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the Russian embassy in London said on its website.
Cameron "sent his congratulations to... Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and the Russian bid committee on the occasion of Russia winning the right to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup and wished Russia success in preparations for the tournament," the embassy said.
Russia won the bid to host the major event in the soccer world for the first time in history after a tight race against England, Portugal and Spain, and Belgium and the Netherlands, on December 2.
However, after the vote in Zurich, Cameron expressed deep disappointment that his country failed to win, and did not congratulate the winner. British Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Jeremy Hunt then congratulated Russia on the part of the British government.
Russia pledged to spend about $10 billion on the preparation for the World Cup and to ensure "the best conditions for players as well as for the spectators during the event."
LONDON, December 9 (RIA Novosti)
