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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday handed over the mantle of World Cup host to the emir of Qatar, whose country will stage the 2022 edition of the tournament.
At a Kremlin ceremony, Putin handed an official World Cup soccer ball to Gianni Infantino, head of world soccer's governing body FIFA, who then handed on the to Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
Putin said Russia was proud of its achievements in hosting the World Cup, and would share its experience with Qatar. The tournament will end later on Sunday with a final match between France and Croatia.
Qatar says will struggle to repeat Russia's on-pitch success
Qatar, next host of the soccer World Cup, will struggle to replicate the success of the Russian team on the pitch at this year's tournament because it is a small country, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani said at a Kremlin ceremony.
