Delhi: The 21st FIFA World Cup, a quadrennial international football tournament contested by the men's national teams of the member associations of FIFA. It is scheduled to hold in Russia from 14 June to 15 July 2018, after the country was given approval of the hosting rights on 2 December 2010. But five weeks before the start of the World Cup, FIFA has imposed a fine of 30,000 Swiss francs on the Russian Football Federation for racially anti-French comments against a French player during a match played at St Petersburg. During France's 3-1 victory in friendship match against Russia in March, racial comments were made for black players, including Paul Pogba.

On a related note that this match was played at the stadium where there will be seven World Cup matches.

Russia will play its opening match of the Group stage in the World Cup on June 19 in St. Petersburg, against Egypt. The host country will also play from Group A in Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. FIFA said that its disciplinary panel took this incident seriously, although few fans were involved in it.

Anti-racist group 'Kick It Out' says that due to FIFA's hard action not being able to do e-mail, racial comments can be made against black players in those matches, in which Russia is playing. Significantly, Russia will play its first match of the group stage in the World Cup on June 19 in St. Petersburg against Egypt. The host country will also play from Group A in Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.