![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,<svg height="125" width="738" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1"/>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,<svg height="600" width="800" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1"/>)
President Vladimir Putin worked hard to bring the 2018 FIFA World Cup to Russia, but now that the spectacle is heading toward a climax, his influence has waned. He is unable to control referees or the performance of Russia’s national team, the Sbornaya – the lowest-seeded team in the tournament. But he has far more […]