Day before World Cup, Putin thanks FIFA for keeping politics out of sport

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during the 68th FIFA Congress in Moscow, Russia June 13, 2018. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked FIFA on Wednesday for keeping politics out of sport, the day before the start of the soccer World Cup.

Russia will host the tournament from June 14 to July 15 in 12 stadiums spread across cities including Moscow, St Petersburg and Sochi.

"I wanted to underline FIFA's commitment to the principle of sports without politics," Putin said during a FIFA Congress in Moscow while standing next to the World Cup trophy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and FIFA President Gianni Infantino pose for a picture during the 68th FIFA Congress in Moscow, Russia June 13, 2018. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber; writing by Maxim Rodionov)

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend the 68th FIFA Congress in Moscow, Russia June 13, 2018. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) listens to FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the 68th FIFA Congress in Moscow, Russia June 13, 2018. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend the 68th FIFA Congress in Moscow, Russia June 13, 2018. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

Participants listen to Russian President Vladimir Putin during the 68th FIFA Congress in Moscow, Russia June 13, 2018. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin