2018 Look ahead: Countdown to the World Cup in Russia

Al Jazeera looks ahead with a report from Russia as the country gears up to host the World Cup next summer.

Russia is preparing to host the FIFA World Cup in just over six months.

The event gives the country a chance to showcase itself in a positive light at a time when it’s under Western sanctions and in the shadow of a sports doping scandal.

In this part of our series looking ahead to 2018, we report from Russia as the countdown begins for 2018 football World Cup.

Al Jazeera’s Rory Challands reports from Moscow.