"St. Petersburg is Russia's cultural capital and a major sports center, it has demonstrated its hospitality, kind-heartedness and benevolence, as well as its readiness to host major international competitions," the governor said in a statement published on the city administration's official website.

Poltavchenko also thanked the tournament's organizers and participants for helping stage the global event.

According to the statement, the World Cup has boosted development of the city's infrastructure as two new metro stations and two bridges were opened in St. Petersburg ahead of the tournament, while a new transport junction was also put into operation.

Russia's first-ever FIFA World Cup started on June 14 and came to a close on Sunday after 64 games had been played in 11 cities across the country. A total of seven matches, including a semi-final and the match for the third place, were played in St. Petersburg.