Brazil will take on Belgium in Kazan, and France will face Uruguay in Nizhny Novgorod in the quarter-finals on Friday.

"I prefer Brazilians as their team have more experienced players. I support them, and Belgium, probably, don't have such a stable mentality. That's why they collapsed after the second goal they conceded. I was sure that they wouldn't equalize, but Japan's goalkeeper made a mistake during their second goal and this inspired them," Tarkhanov said.

Belgium overcame a 2-0 deficit to beat Japan 3-2 in their round of 16 game, with the third goal scored in the final minute of stoppage time in Rostov-on-Don on Monday.

"France also have more chances, including the fact that, apparently, [injured Uruguay forward Edinson] Cavani won't play. Their [Uruguay's] game is based on good defense with super defenders, especially in the midfield, and on super forwards, Cavani and Luis Suarez," Tarkhanov added.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup kicked off on June 14 and will continue until July 15, with the matches being played in 11 cities across Russia.