“The strangest city of the 2018 World Cup”: what foreign fans say about Saransk

“The strangest city of the 2018 World Cup”: what foreign fans say about Saransk

Waited and waited. Ronaldo came to the capital of Mordovia.

Of course, the main event for Saransk, which is hosting the 2018 World Cup, was the arrival of world-famous soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the Portuguese national team’s match against Iran.

Before the match, the soccer star wanted to rest and gain strength, but Ronaldo could not do it: the hotel where he stayed was surrounded by a crowd of fans and supporters. Cristiano even had to ask the fans to leave him alone.

If we ignore the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo in the capital of Mordovia, the city itself made a positive impression on foreign fans.

“Saransk is very cool. I still can’t believe I’m seeing Peru return to the Mundial and the Arena Mordovia.”

Strangely enough, 2018 World Cup guests are pleased in Saransk not only with the soccer atmosphere, but also with the local architecture.

“This cathedral is the most beautiful in the city. I liked its color and scale.”

But some fans call the capital of Mordovia and “the strangest host city of the 2018 World Cup”. By the way, these guys from Brazil have their own blog, where they talk in detail in English about their stay in Saransk.

Saransk simply does not let us go.

Soccer fans get to the match venue in absolutely different ways. For example, a fan of the Portuguese national team came to Saransk on his own transportation – for a few days the van became a local landmark and attracted a large number of tourists.

Surprised guests of the city not only local sights and architecture, but also gastronomy.

“Somehow Saransk got around the directive to sell only FIFA-approved nasties. There is a lovely food court outside the stadium where they sell delicious halal kebab. My attitude towards Saransk is getting better and better!”.

“Got to Saransk, the weirdest and most amazing city of the World Cup. It’s a boiling day and the atmosphere before the Portugal vs Iran match is frenetic, good-natured and fun. The fans have made this atmosphere, there is even Iranian music in the main square”.