Russia tries to provide cheaper World Cup tickets for local citizens

Russia will try to provide cheaper tickets for its own citizens during the 2018 World Cup tournament, a proposal to be discussed at the upcoming FIFA Congress in Mexico.

FIFA and Russia are expected to discuss the fourth price category of tickets for Russian citizens at the FIFA Congress on May 12-13, Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko was quoted as saying by the RIA Novosti news agency.

"We urge FIFA to grant us such tickets...We agreed that at the FIFA Congress in Mexico, they will give us the reply," Mutko said.

The official said the proposal was based on the fact that the current economic hardship and exchange rate have made it more difficult for ordinary Russians to afford the tickets.

Russia won the bid to host the 2018 World Cup over five years ago. About 300 infrastructure projects are underway or have been completed in 11 host cities. Besides, 20 more cities are involved in visitors' accommodation service program.

Slumping oil prices and Western sanctions imposed to punish Moscow's alleged role in the Ukrainian crisis have dealt a serious blow to the Russian economy, with the country's GDP dropping by 3.7 percent.