935 days. That's a pretty long time. A lot could happen between now and the start of the World Cup in 2018. The obvious changes, or the changes that we think will obviously happen, include the Russia-Ukraine situation, the Russia-Syria relationship and maybe the Russia-US relationship. The last one is changing constantly. The common factor is Vladimir Putin, ex-President and Prime Minister of Russia, now the President of Russia. It is amazing how one man can have such an influence on what goes on in the world. Whereas with other countries it is safe to say that, for example, France doesn't agree with Germany's policy decision on something, with Russia it's not about the country but one man.
And this is the country that will welcome the world in 2018. Will the world go? Of course they will, if it does indeed go ahead. Like never before do I think a World Cup is at the mercy of world politics and Fifa politics. But if football is played in Russia in 2018 the world will be watching. Because the world loves football and we all hope that Ukraine and Syria are at peace.
935 days to go. I'll be watching and hoping.
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