Russia to host Slovenia in Moscow's Luzhniki

Russia will host Slovenia in the first leg of their World Cup playoff next month at Moscow's Luzhniki stadium, the country's soccer chief said on Tuesday.

Vitaly Mutko said weather conditions in the Russian capital were the main factor in choosing Luzhniki's artificial turf where Russia lost 1-0 to Germany in a World Cup qualifier 10 days ago.

The Russians host Slovenia on Nov. 14 with the return leg in Ljubljana four days later in one of four playoff ties. The winners qualify for next year's finals in South Africa.