World Cup 2018 and a political victory for Mr. Putin

Although the Russian team could not create a miracle in this tournament, Russia and its people are still extremely proud of having organized a successful World Cup season, raising Russia's position and image in the international arena. Therefore, the person who is considered to have won the biggest victory after this football season is the host country's President Vladimir Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stands between French President Emmanuel Macron (right) and FIFA President Gianni Infantino after the World Cup final Photo: NTV

Overcome all obstacles

Perhaps, there has rarely been a World Cup in history that has encountered as many obstacles as this year, the simple reason being that the host country is Russia - a country that is embroiled in a persistent confrontation with the West in all areas from economics to politics.

Since the decision to choose Russia as the host country of the World Cup was made in 2010, for 8 long years, Russia has continuously had to fight against campaigns to "make things difficult" for the host country.

The first large-scale campaign took place in 2010, initiated by England, with accusations that Russia had committed “bribery” during the process of voting for the host country of the 2018 World Cup, and that Russia did not have the necessary facilities to ensure the matches…

Then, in succession, a series of political events were also "involved" with the sole purpose of building an image of Russia as "unworthy" of being the host country of the most attractive football tournament on the planet, from the annexation of Crimea, Russia's intervention in Syria or accusations of Russia interfering in elections in the US or European countries.

President Putin introduced the image of a modern, open, and unique Russia through the 2018 World Cup. Photo: TASS

The US government has sanctioned key individuals or Russian companies involved in the construction of 25 key infrastructure projects serving this sporting event.

As the World Cup draws near, a “vital” campaign has been launched, accusing Russia of being behind the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia with the nerve agent Novichok. Western countries have also immediately sided with the UK, declaring Russia’s actions in the Sergei Skripal case “unacceptable”.

The British government has announced that members of the Royal Family and members of the British government will not travel to Russia for the 2018 World Cup, and has also called on other countries to “boycott” the event. The British press has continuously painted a rather negative “scenario” that English fans could be victims of violence caused by Russian extremists.

But despite the unprecedented fierce campaigns in the history of world sports, Russia has firmly responded strongly to all political accusations, and has not hesitated to "spend huge amounts of money" to build facilities in the 11 cities where the matches will take place as well as for the organizing apparatus.

Analysts say that organizing 64 matches in 11 cities spread across the country, sometimes thousands of kilometers away from the capital, is Russian President Vladimir Putin's way of wanting tourists coming to Russia on this occasion to have more opportunities to have a different perspective on a modern Russia, rich in cultural heritage, open, rather than a Russia that only harbors political calculations in its persistent confrontation with the West.

And success came to Russia despite all the campaigns of the West. Nearly a million fans from all over the world still flocked to Russia, joining in the passionate atmosphere of the round ball. On the field, the matches were extremely attractive and dramatic.

Off the pitch, the streets were filled with street parties after the home team won. There was no terrorism. There was no hooliganism. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that “the World Cup has changed the world’s perception of Russia,” and while Russia remains at odds with the West, the World Cup is an opportunity for Russian President Putin to win a diplomatic victory with the rest of the world.

"Where the elite gather"

Coming to the 2018 World Cup in Russia are not only the 32 best teams but also many heads of state coming to cheer for their home team. During more than a month of the World Cup, Russia has become the center of the world political stage with sideline meetings between President Vladimir Putin and a series of world leaders such as South Korean President Moon Jae-in, French President Emmanuel Macron, Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Qatari King Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and UN Secretary General Antonia Gueteres.

In terms of image, the mere presence of these leaders in Russia is a political victory for Mr. Putin, showing that Russia is not isolated despite the efforts of the West. In essence, Mr. Putin’s meetings with the leaders are also an opportunity for Russia to show its interest in a series of “hot spots” and issues in which Russia has close interests.

Colombian female fan.

That is the cooperation between Russia and Saudi Arabia to maintain high world oil prices, or the cooperation between Russia and South Korea on the issue of denuclearization on the Korean peninsula. And after these visits, which are considered as "rehearsals", world public opinion will certainly follow President Vladimir Putin's footsteps to Helsinki, Finland, where he will have a summit with US President Donald Trump the day after the final match between France and Croatia.

Analysts say that Mr. Putin has a huge advantage when meeting President Donald Trump at this time, because the position of Russia and of Mr. Putin personally has been "elevated" after a successful World Cup season.

Meanwhile, position is always a very “powerful” weapon when entering any diplomatic negotiation. On the other side, when the joyful atmosphere of the World Cup has not yet faded, Mr. Donald Trump is also “easier to talk” when deciding to meet Mr. Putin, because within the US government there are still conflicting opinions about the President’s approach to relations with Russia.

Putin's meeting with US President Donald Trump and a series of previous meetings with leaders is proof that Russia is not isolated, and that Western countries are having different ways to solve problems related to Russia.

Before the World Cup champion was revealed, the press had an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which the question was "Who will win the 2018 World Cup?" Mr. Putin then had a rather interesting answer: "It's the organizer".

Given what has happened so far, it is understood that Mr. Putin must have had a hidden meaning in his answer. Russia has “gained” a lot from this World Cup, and it is a completely deserved political victory for the host country’s President Vladimir Putin.