Mutko demands football players to reach playoffs at 2018 World Cup

The Russian national football team must at least reach the playoffs at the 2018 World Cup, the Russian Minister of Sports Vitaly Mutko stated during the 'Match TV' channel broadcast.

"Let's set the task of at least reaching the playoffs. If the host team finishes its performance in the qualifying rounds, interest in the tournament in the country drops," Interfax quotes him as saying.