England news: Fans will be safe in Russia - Roman Pavlyuchenko

Fears have been raised over potential trouble between supporters at the tournament, especially given clashes that occurred during Euro 2016 in France.

English and Russian were frequently captured clashing in the streets but the Russian authorities are determined to stop any similar scenes.

Fans of both Manchester United and Liverpool were given severe warnings of prison sentences when they travelled to Moscow for their Champions League group matches two weeks ago, and their respective games passed without incident.

The Russian FA are trying their utmost to make sure that is now the routine, with World Cup ambassador Pavlyuchenko leading the charge to rid their hooligan reputation.

“I’m absolutely sure that fans will like it and I’m sure that it will be the best World Cup in the history of the World Cup,” Pavlyuchenko told the Mirror. “All the fans will come here and enjoy it, I’m absolutely sure.

“There is a misconception that going to Russia will see lots of people getting hurt, punched and attacked. Anyone who comes here can see that it’s not like that. I’m sure everything will be fine in that respect.

“There are security worries wherever you go in the world but I am sure that the organisation here will be excellent and will make it very safe for the fans.

“I’ve seen all the stadiums and there’s a venue better than the Luzhniki. The Spartak stadium is even better. If all the stadiums are this good then there is no way that organisationally this cannot be anything but the best World Cup we have ever seen.

“I think people who come here for the World Cup, will stay here because they will never want to leave. It will be a World Cup to remember.

“We want to open up our country, it’s a wonderful country and I don’t understand why so many bad things are said about it.”

England guaranteed their spot in the competition with a dull 1-0 win over Slovenia on Thursday.

Pavlyuchenko is no stranger to English supporters having spent four years at White Hart Lane after moving from Spartak Moscow for £14million in August 2008.

Reflecting on his time in the Premier League, the 35-year-old said: “My best footballing days were spent in England. I absolutely loved it.

“It’s the best championship in the world. When people ask me about England, I always say if you have any contract offer, any opportunity, then just go and play there because it’s the best football there.

“I have no regrets about my time in England, my only regret is to leave England by choice. I should not have left England for Russia. I could have stayed at Tottenham, I did not need to leave and that’s my biggest regret.”