"Russia are a very strong team. They have very good, qualified players. We need to be focused on our game, and nothing else. We want to make our fans happy. We want to reach the knockout stage or maybe go even further. We need to work for that," Otayf told journalists.

The 2018 World Cup will take place in Russia from June 14 to July 15, with the games set to be held in 11 cities across the country.

Saudi Arabia will play hosts Russia in the opening match on June 14 at the 81,000-seater Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, as well as Egypt and Uruguay who have also been drawn to Group A.