According to Russians, hosting the World Cup has had a positive effect on the country’s image.
MOSCOW, July 25, 2018. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data of a survey devoted to the 2018 FIFA World Cup held in Russia from June 14 to July 15.
Most of Russians (83%) support hosting international sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup in Russia. This stance is opposed by 13%.
Seventy-one percent of Russians consider that hosting the World Cup in Russia did more good to the country. First of all, the event helped to improve Russia’s image (60%). Certain respondents point to tourism development (16%) and money brought by tourists (14%). New sports facilities and infrastructure development were mentioned by 12% of respondents.
Nine percent of respondents view the idea to host the championship negatively. Among them every second (49%) says that the costs will not pay back; every third (31%) thinks that money spent on the championship can be used to satisfy country’ needs; every fifth (19%) considers that hosting the World Cup distracted from really important problems. A further 15% think that nothing has changed in the country after the World Cup.
More than half of Russians (60%) believe that the World Cup is worth the money spent on it. Seventy-two percent of respondents expect improvements in the attitudes of other countries towards Russia after the World Cup.
The VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on July 16, 2018, and involved 1,600 Russians aged 18 and over. The survey was telephone-based and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Do you personally support or oppose the idea to host international sporting events in Russia, such as the FIFA World Cup? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Likely to support | 83 |
Likely to oppose | 13 |
Don’t know | 4 |
In your opinion, did hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup do more good or harm to Russia? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Likely more good | 71 |
Likely more harm | 9 |
Nothing has changed | 15 |
Don’t know | 5 |
Why do you think that hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup did more good to Russia? (open-ended question, up to three answers, % of those who think that hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup did more good to Russia) | |
| % of those who think that hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup did more good to Russia |
Russia’s image improved | 60 |
More tourists, tourism development | 16 |
More money brought by tourists into the country | 14 |
Many sport facilities were built | 12 |
Infrastructure development | 12 |
Celebration for all, social cohesion in Russia | 8 |
Sport development, attracting the youth to sports | 7 |
Pride in the national team, Russia | 6 |
Relationships with certain countries are improving | 4 |
Pride in high level of organization of the championship | 4 |
Economic upturn | 3 |
Attracting foreign investment | 1 |
Only advantages, no disadvantages | 0 |
Other | 3 |
Don’t know | 5 |
Why do you think that hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup did more harm to Russia? (open-ended question, up to three answers, % of those who think that hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup did more harm to Russia) | |
| % of those who think that hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup did more harm to Russia |
Too much money spent, the money will not pay back | 49 |
The money spent or the profit made could have been spent on country’s needs | 31 |
The World Cup was used to distract from actual problems | 19 |
Shutdown of enterprises; road blocking during the championship | 5 |
Too much money stolen | 4 |
Low living standards | 4 |
It was not well thought-out how to maintain the facilities after the competitions | 3 |
Fake provision of “urban amenities” in the cities | 2 |
Poor quality of the facilities which were built | 1 |
Inflation | 1 |
Only disadvantages, no advantages | 2 |
Other | 5 |
Don’t know | 7 |
Which statement do you agree with the most? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
It is good that the 2018 World Cup took place in Russia but the money spent on it could have been spent on something different | 34 |
Large amounts of money were spent on the World Cup in Russia but it was worth it | 60 |
Don’t know | 6 |
In your opinion, after hosting the World Cup will the attitudes of other countries towards Russia change or not? If yes, how will they change? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Likely to improve | 72 |
Likely to worsen | 1 |
No changes | 22 |
Don’t know | 5 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!