FIFA has granted Russia a budget of $699 million to host the 2018 World Cup, a similar amount to that received by South Africa for the 2010 tournament, sports minister Vitaly Mutko said Wednesday, April 4.

“The sum paid to the Russian organizing committee will cover all the operational costs of staging the tournament, such as travel expenses, media facilities, stewarding and decorating the stadiums, but does not stretch to any construction or infrastructure expenditure.

The budget covers expenses from this year until the end of the tournament year,” Mutko said.

“FIFA has provided $699 million, that’s including the year 2018. For the 2010 World Cup approximately the same amount was granted,” he said.

Russia was awarded the World Cup in December 2010, beating a solo bid from England and joint efforts from Spain and Portugal and the Netherlands and Belgium, RIA Novosti reported.