“Because of the expected increase in the number of foreign citizens and stateless persons crossing the border, reinforced guard shifts will be on duty… at the border crossing points during the World Cup,” Lappo said in an interview with the local Belta news agency.

On May 29, in order to simplify the border crossing for football fans coming to the World Cup, Russia and Belarus are expected to sign an agreement on mutual recognition of visas during the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2019 European Games in Belarus. The agreement is expected to enter into force in early June.

Russia will host the World Cup from June 14 to July 15. The games are set to take place on 12 arenas in 11 cities across the country.