FIFA (the Federation Internationale de Football Association) says that there exist no grounds for moving the 2018 FIFA World Cup from Russia due to the doping scandal, Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko told a news conference on July 23.

Earlier, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had recommended international federations of winter sports to freeze preparations for major international competitions in Russia. The restrictions will be in place until December 2016 and may be reconsidered at a meeting of the IOC Executive Board in December.

"FIFA says that there are no grounds for taking the Cup away from us," Mutko said. "IOC has given recommendations (not to hold winter championships in Russia). But I cannot see any connection between doping violations and, for instance the Biathlon World Cup in Khanty-Mansiisk. I can say the same thing about the World Football Cup."

Eleven Russian cities are expected to host the next FIFA World Cup between June 14 and July 15 in 2018.