Russian organizers suggest 2017 Confed Cup venues

Associated Press

ZURICH (AP) — Russian organizers of the 2018 World Cup have formally proposed four stadiums to host the 2017 Confederations Cup.

FIFA says the local organizing committee wants St. Petersburg to host the opening match and final of the eight-team tournament. The city will also stage a World Cup semifinal in 2018.

Moscow, Kazan and 2014 Winter Olympics host Sochi also will stage Confederations Cup matches.

Spartak Stadium in Moscow is proposed for the tournament. The city's larger Luzhniki Stadium will host the World Cup opener, a semifinal and the final.

The Confederations Cup lineup includes Russia, the 2014 World Cup winner and six continental champions.

FIFA says the venue plan was proposed at a 2018 organizing committee meeting Tuesday in St. Petersburg.

FIFA's executive committee will review the project at a Dec. 14-15 meeting in Tokyo.