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Published 11:52 AM EST, Tue December 5, 2017
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A picture shows the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhniy Novgorod on August 26, 2017. Nizhny Novgorod will host several matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup football tournament. / AFP PHOTO / Mladen ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)
Is Russia 2018's infrastructure ready?
02:52 - Source: CNN

Story highlights

World Cup will be held from 14 June - 15 July, 2018

New stadium being built in Nizhny Novgorod

Updating road and rail links is crucial

CNN  — 

Football fans will have their work cut out traveling between host cities at the 2018 World Cup.

The geography is vast, stretching almost 3,000 kilometers – from the city of Kaliningrad, the Russian exclave which meets the Baltic Sea, to Yekaterinburg, north of the Kazakh border.

To save money, many fans will be turning away from flights in favor of taking buses or Russia’s sleeper train services.

In Nizhny Novgorod, one of Russia’s oldest cities, construction is frantically underway to try and ensure – like many host cities – its outdated road and rail links are up to scratch to accommodate the influx of thousands of football fans.

Designed by late Japanese architect Kisho Kurosawa to look like a spaceship, the brand new St. Petersburg Stadium was built on Krestovsky Island where the 110,000-capacity Kirov Stadium used to stand.
St. Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg —
Designed by late Japanese architect Kisho Kurosawa to look like a spaceship, the brand new St. Petersburg Stadium was built on Krestovsky Island where the 110,000-capacity Kirov Stadium used to stand.
Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Bongarts/Getty Images
Opened in April 2017, the stadium is equipped with a retractable roof and sliding pitch. Inside, the temperature can be regulated to a mild 59 degrees Fahrenheit (15 C) all year round.
St. Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg —
Opened in April 2017, the stadium is equipped with a retractable roof and sliding pitch. Inside, the temperature can be regulated to a mild 59 degrees Fahrenheit (15 C) all year round.
OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>St. Petersburg Stadium World Cup schedule: </strong>Group stage, last 16, semifinal, third-place playoff<br /><strong>Legacy</strong>: The 67,000-seater will regain its former name -- Krestovsky Stadium -- and be home to 2007-08 UEFA Cup winners Zenit St. Petersburg.
St. Petersburg Stadium World Cup schedule: Group stage, last 16, semifinal, third-place playoff
Legacy: The 67,000-seater will regain its former name -- Krestovsky Stadium -- and be home to 2007-08 UEFA Cup winners Zenit St. Petersburg.
MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Located 1,000 miles east of Moscow on the site of the old Central Stadium -- once a prominent speed skating venue -- the Ekaterinburg Stadium has retained its original Soviet neo-Classical pillars while adding modern refurbishments and temporary stands.
Ekaterinburg Stadium, Yekaterinburg —
Located 1,000 miles east of Moscow on the site of the old Central Stadium -- once a prominent speed skating venue -- the Ekaterinburg Stadium has retained its original Soviet neo-Classical pillars while adding modern refurbishments and temporary stands.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The additional seats, constructed outside of the original stadium, loom dramatically at either end of the pitch in order to fulfill FIFA's minimum World Cup capacity of 35,000. Recent inspection reports have shown the temporary stands "fully comply with all safety and security requirements," according to a FIFA spokesperson.
Ekaterinburg Stadium, Yekaterinburg —
The additional seats, constructed outside of the original stadium, loom dramatically at either end of the pitch in order to fulfill FIFA's minimum World Cup capacity of 35,000. Recent inspection reports have shown the temporary stands "fully comply with all safety and security requirements," according to a FIFA spokesperson.
FIFA
<strong>Ekaterinburg Stadium World Cup schedule: </strong>Group stage<br /><strong>Legacy</strong>: FC Ural, one of Russia's oldest clubs newly promoted to the country's top tier, will continue to use the stadium for its home games. After the World Cup, the capacity will be reduced and it will once again be known as Central Stadium.<br />
Ekaterinburg Stadium World Cup schedule: Group stage
Legacy: FC Ural, one of Russia's oldest clubs newly promoted to the country's top tier, will continue to use the stadium for its home games. After the World Cup, the capacity will be reduced and it will once again be known as Central Stadium.
VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The Fisht Stadium held the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2014 Winter Olympics and is already well-equipped for the demands of a major international football tournament.
Fisht Stadium, Sochi —
The Fisht Stadium held the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2014 Winter Olympics and is already well-equipped for the demands of a major international football tournament.
FIFA
Named after Mount Fisht, a peak in the nearby Caucasus mountain range, the arena's roof was designed to resemble a snow-capped summit.
Fisht Stadium, Sochi —
Named after Mount Fisht, a peak in the nearby Caucasus mountain range, the arena's roof was designed to resemble a snow-capped summit.
FIFA
<strong>Fisht Stadium World Cup schedule:</strong> Group stage, last 16, quarterfinals<br /><strong>Legacy</strong>: The 47,700-capacity venue will stage training camps and competitive matches for the Russian national team.
Fisht Stadium World Cup schedule: Group stage, last 16, quarterfinals
Legacy: The 47,700-capacity venue will stage training camps and competitive matches for the Russian national team.
FRANCK FIFE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
It was home to the 1980 Summer Olympics, 2008 Champions League final, 2013 Athletics World Championships and no shortage of musical tours, from Michael Jackson to the Rolling Stones...
Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow —
It was home to the 1980 Summer Olympics, 2008 Champions League final, 2013 Athletics World Championships and no shortage of musical tours, from Michael Jackson to the Rolling Stones...
OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Now the Luzhniki Stadium has been refurbished -- with the athletics track removed and two extra tiers added -- while preserving its historical facade.
Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow —
Now the Luzhniki Stadium has been refurbished -- with the athletics track removed and two extra tiers added -- while preserving its historical facade.
Lars Baron/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>Luzhniki Stadium World Cup schedule: </strong>Group stage, last 16, semifinal, final<br /><strong>Legacy: </strong>The 81,006-seater will retain its status as the country's leading football stadium, hosting competitive international matches and friendlies.
Luzhniki Stadium World Cup schedule: Group stage, last 16, semifinal, final
Legacy: The 81,006-seater will retain its status as the country's leading football stadium, hosting competitive international matches and friendlies.
DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Built in the heart of Kaliningrad on Oktyabrsky Island -- a section of land sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania left largely untouched until its selection as a World Cup venue -- the Kaliningrad stadium is loosely based on the design of Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena.
Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad —
Built in the heart of Kaliningrad on Oktyabrsky Island -- a section of land sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania left largely untouched until its selection as a World Cup venue -- the Kaliningrad stadium is loosely based on the design of Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena.
Handout/Getty Images Europe
<strong>Kaliningrad Stadium World Cup schedule:</strong> Group stage<br /><strong>Legacy</strong>: The 35,000-seater stadium will have its capacity reduced by 10,000 and be home to second-tier side FC Baltika Kaliningrad. A new residential development will be built around it featuring parks, quays and embankments alongside the Pregola river.
Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad —
Kaliningrad Stadium World Cup schedule: Group stage
Legacy: The 35,000-seater stadium will have its capacity reduced by 10,000 and be home to second-tier side FC Baltika Kaliningrad. A new residential development will be built around it featuring parks, quays and embankments alongside the Pregola river.
FIFA
Located about 20 miles from the Sea of Azov in south eastern Russia, the brand new Rostov Arena is 51m tall -- as high as the Niagra Falls.
Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don —
Located about 20 miles from the Sea of Azov in south eastern Russia, the brand new Rostov Arena is 51m tall -- as high as the Niagra Falls.
FIFA
<strong>Rostov Arena World Cup schedule: </strong>Group stage, last 16<br /><strong>Legacy:</strong> As one of the first major projects built on the southern bank of the Don River, architects hope the 45,000-seater stadium will attract a flow of people and investment from the north. It will also host Russian Premier League side FC Rostov's home fixtures.
Rostov Arena World Cup schedule: Group stage, last 16
Legacy: As one of the first major projects built on the southern bank of the Don River, architects hope the 45,000-seater stadium will attract a flow of people and investment from the north. It will also host Russian Premier League side FC Rostov's home fixtures.
MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Built at the foot of the towering Mamayev Kurgan World War II memorial "The Motherland Calls" (pictured), the Volgograd Stadium will replace the demolished Central Stadium and feature an open lattice exterior structure.
Volgograd Arena, Volgograd —
Built at the foot of the towering Mamayev Kurgan World War II memorial "The Motherland Calls" (pictured), the Volgograd Stadium will replace the demolished Central Stadium and feature an open lattice exterior structure.
Sandra Montanez/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>Volgograd Arena World Cup schedule: </strong>Group stage <br /><strong>Legacy</strong>: The 45,000-seater will become the home ground of second-tier side FC Rotor Vologograd.
Volgograd Arena World Cup schedule: Group stage
Legacy: The 45,000-seater will become the home ground of second-tier side FC Rotor Vologograd.
MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Built to host Spartak Moscow -- the "people's team" which has made do without its own venue for almost a century -- the 43,298-seater Spartak Stadium will go on proving its worth long after the World Cup. The arena's facade features hundreds of red and white diamonds representing Spartak's logo, which change color when the Russian national side plays there.
Spartak Stadium, Moscow —
Built to host Spartak Moscow -- the "people's team" which has made do without its own venue for almost a century -- the 43,298-seater Spartak Stadium will go on proving its worth long after the World Cup. The arena's facade features hundreds of red and white diamonds representing Spartak's logo, which change color when the Russian national side plays there.
FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Spartak Stadium World Cup schedule: </strong>Last 16<br /><strong>Legacy: </strong>As well as hosting Spartak Moscow and the national side, the stadium will provide the center piece for a new residential development.
Spartak Stadium World Cup schedule: Last 16
Legacy: As well as hosting Spartak Moscow and the national side, the stadium will provide the center piece for a new residential development.
FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Situated at the confluence of the Volga and Oka rivers, the new Nizhny Novgorod Stadium is designed to resemble the shimmering waters that surround it. The 45,331-capacity arena sits close to the Alexander Nevsky cathedral, and with views across to the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin.
Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod —
Situated at the confluence of the Volga and Oka rivers, the new Nizhny Novgorod Stadium is designed to resemble the shimmering waters that surround it. The 45,331-capacity arena sits close to the Alexander Nevsky cathedral, and with views across to the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin.
MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Nizhny Novgorod Stadium World Cup schedule:</strong> Group stage, last 16, quarterfinals<br /><strong>Legacy</strong>: The stadium was intended to become the permanent home of Russian club FC Volga, replacing the Lokomotiv Stadium after the tournament. However, Volga dissolved because of financial troubles in June 2016. Instead, second tier Olympiets Nizhny Novgorod will call the new build home.
Nizhny Novgorod Stadium World Cup schedule: Group stage, last 16, quarterfinals
Legacy: The stadium was intended to become the permanent home of Russian club FC Volga, replacing the Lokomotiv Stadium after the tournament. However, Volga dissolved because of financial troubles in June 2016. Instead, second tier Olympiets Nizhny Novgorod will call the new build home.
Andrey Orekhov
Constructed in a southeastern region renowned for its aerospace sector, the 44,807-seater Samara Arena is designed to resemble an otherworldly glass dome. By night, the whole structure will light up.
Samara Arena, Samara —
Constructed in a southeastern region renowned for its aerospace sector, the 44,807-seater Samara Arena is designed to resemble an otherworldly glass dome. By night, the whole structure will light up.
MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Samara Arena World Cup schedule:</strong> Group stage, last 16, quarterfinals<br /><strong>Legacy</strong>: The 44,918-capacity stadium will be known as Cosmos Arena, hosting Russian second-tier side FC Krylia Sovetov Samara.
Samara Arena World Cup schedule: Group stage, last 16, quarterfinals
Legacy: The 44,918-capacity stadium will be known as Cosmos Arena, hosting Russian second-tier side FC Krylia Sovetov Samara.
MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Featuring a striking orange, red and white exterior, construction on the 44,442-seater Mordovia Arena began in 2010. Initially hoped to be completed two years later for the 1,000th anniversary of the Mordovian people's unification with Russia's other ethnic groups, it was eventually finished in April 2018.
Featuring a striking orange, red and white exterior, construction on the 44,442-seater Mordovia Arena began in 2010. Initially hoped to be completed two years later for the 1,000th anniversary of the Mordovian people's unification with Russia's other ethnic groups, it was eventually finished in April 2018.
MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Mordovia Arena World Cup schedule:</strong> Group stage<br /><strong>Legacy: </strong>With a population of just 300,000, Saransk is the smallest of the 2018 World Cup host cities. After the tournament, some of the stadium's temporary structures will be demolished, reducing the capacity to 25,000. It will become the home of third-tier side FC Mordovia.
Mordovia Arena World Cup schedule: Group stage
Legacy: With a population of just 300,000, Saransk is the smallest of the 2018 World Cup host cities. After the tournament, some of the stadium's temporary structures will be demolished, reducing the capacity to 25,000. It will become the home of third-tier side FC Mordovia.
MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Designed by the same firm of architects as Wembley and Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, Kazan Arena was constructed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. Viewed from above, it is said to resemble a water-lily on the banks of the adjacent Kazanka river. The front of the stadium is dominated by a high definition screen with a total area of 3,700 meters -- the largest of its kind in the world.
Kazan Arena, Kazan —
Designed by the same firm of architects as Wembley and Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, Kazan Arena was constructed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. Viewed from above, it is said to resemble a water-lily on the banks of the adjacent Kazanka river. The front of the stadium is dominated by a high definition screen with a total area of 3,700 meters -- the largest of its kind in the world.
ROMAN KRUCHININ/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Kazan Arena World Cup schedule: </strong>Group stage, last 16, quarterfinals<br /><strong>Legacy:</strong> Opened in 2013, it will continue to be home to Rubin Kazan, Russian Premier League champions in 2008 and 2009. <a href="https://www.electriciancje.com/sport">Visit CNN.com/sport for more news and features</a>
Kazan Arena World Cup schedule: Group stage, last 16, quarterfinals
Legacy: Opened in 2013, it will continue to be home to Rubin Kazan, Russian Premier League champions in 2008 and 2009. Visit CNN.com/sport for more news and features
Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Take a tour of the 2018 Russia World Cup stadiums

The Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, as well as two others around the country, suffered serious damage during construction after a fire broke out in one of the stands.

READ: World Cup draw – as it happened

READ: Ronaldo to face familiar foes as Portugal lands Spain

Sergey Pichushkin, the stadium’s project director, admits there have been setbacks but remains confident everything will be on schedule.

CNN International correspondent Fred Pleitgen visited the city to find out more. You can watch his report on the top of this page.