Moscow, June 3 (IANS): Russia said on Wednesday that it respects Sepp Blatter's decision to resign as the FIFA president and also promised the world that the country will stage a great football World Cup in 2018.

The Russia Local Organising Committee (LOC) said in a statement: "The LOC Russia 2018 highly respects FIFA President Sepp Blatter for his decision to lay down his mandate at the helm of FIFA, which he has been heading for almost two decades.

"We appreciate the enormous contribution that Blatter has made to the development of football as head of FIFA at all levels -- from grass root development work to the pinnacle which is the FIFA World Cup.

"In 2018 the FIFA World Cup will be held for the first time on the territory of the world's largest country. The Russia 2018 LOC will continue to work closely with FIFA towards this goal on a daily basis.

"We will sustain all our efforts to provide and ensure the highest level of organisation for the guests and participants of the tournament and deliver a great festival of football to all fans."

The LOC added the upcoming Preliminary Draw will take place as scheduled in Saint Petersburg on July 25 this year.