Russia's bid to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022 has now been backed by the required guarantees from Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. FIFA's bidding agreement requires governmental guarantees regarding stadium construction; security; entry rules for players, referees and fans and tax breaks for competitors, among other things.

Putin added the issue to March 24's meeting of the Government Presidium of the Russian Federation, and has overseen progress on the guarantees since.

The documents now having been signed, they will form part of the official bid presented to FIFA on May 14.

Putin told the aforementioned meeting: "The World Cup preparations will not only require a large number of new sports facilities.

"They will also mean that we must develop - and are certain to do so if our bid is accepted - additional infrastructure: airports, roads, hotels and other tourist facilities in at least 10 major Russian cities, if not more.

"All of that would remain to be used by our people for decades to come."

For more World Cup news, go to www.worldcup.tribalfootball.com