Euro 2016: Russia fan violence raises fears over 2017 Confederations Cup as 2018 World Cup looms

Fifa will get a first-hand look whether Russia can organise a major football tournament without fan violence overshadowing the occasion when they host the Confederations Cup next summer, a year before the 2018 World Cup visits the country currently at the centre of serious concerns after failing to control their supporters at Euro 2016.

The Russian Football Union [RFU] face a Uefa investigation for “crowd disturbances, setting off of fireworks and throwing of missiles” during and after their 1-1 draw with England at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome on Saturday night. Sections of Russian supporters charged at England fans after breaking through the inadequate barricade that separated the two sets of fans, with 19 British citizens being admitted to hospital, four of which have been described as in a serious condition.

The scenes at the stadium as well as in the old port area of Marseille – where an organised gang of Russians attacked English fans and French locals on Saturday – triggered fresh fears over Russia hosting the 2018 World Cup. Up until now, the main concern regarding the tournament in two years’ time has been the awarding of hosting rights by Fifa, which has since gone through a serious of arrests and corruption revelations surrounding the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids.

However, Russia will also host next summer’s Confederations Cup, which sees the six continental champions compete alongside the World Cup winners and the hosts. With Russia guaranteed an entry as hosts, they will be joined by world champions Germany, with Australia, Chile, Mexico and New Zealand also confirmed for the tournament as respective winners of the AFC Asian Cup, Copa America, Concacaf Cup and OFC Nations Cup.

The winners of Euro 2016, which could potentially be England even though they failed to make a winning start for the ninth consecutive European Championship, will join the list of team confirmed for the tournament, with the final berth set to go to the winners of next year’s African Cup of Nations with the final taking place on 5 February 2017.

Russia will use four of its designated World Cup stadiums to host the competition, with matches taking place in Moscow, St Petersburg, Kazan and Sochi.

Uefa have opened an investigation against Russia and have warned them along with England that any further fan trouble could lead to disqualification from Euro 2016. However, Russia’s punishment – should Uefa take action over the scenes witnessed inside the Stade Velodrome – could prove to be a complicated one, given that a point deduction for the 2018 World Cup qualifying process would not be applicable as Russia are guaranteed automatic entry as hosts.

The 2017 Confederations Cup is due to begin on 17 June 2017, with the 2018 World Cup scheduled to start a year later on 14 June 2018, with additional venues in Moscow, Kaliningrad, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Volgograd, Saransk, Rostov-on-Don and Yekaterinburg.