Putin says Russia's World Cup stadiums should remain soccer venues

Russia's President Vladimir Putin visits Kaliningrad Stadium before a meeting with sports officials to discuss the soccer World Cup and other sports issues in Kaliningrad, Russia July 20, 2018. Sputnik/Alexei Nikolsky/Kremlin via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.

KALININGRAD, Russia (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that the country's 12 World Cup venues should be mainly used for soccer, and not transformed into concert halls or exhibition centres.

Russia hosted the World Cup in 11 cities in June and July without any major security or discriminatory incidents, receiving praise from fans and global soccer governing body FIFA.