"So far it is difficult to talk about figures and predictions. The Russian Federation says about 1.5 million foreign fans who have already booked tickets will attend the 2018 World Cup matches. I think that more than 10 percent of them will pass through the territory of the Republic of Belarus both on their way in and out," Begun told journalists.

A temporary agreement on mutual visa recognition between Russia and Belarus came into force earlier on Friday, enabling foreign citizens with Fan IDs, coming for the FIFA World Cup through Belarus, to enter the country without a visa.

A FAN ID is a personalized document which is obligatory for everyone who has a ticket to any of the games of the upcoming tournament. It provides its holders with a visa-free entry to Russia during the World Cup, with fans being able to enter the country 10 days before the first match and stay until 10 days after the last game.

Russia will host its first-ever FIFA World Cup from June 14 to July 15, with the games set to be held in 11 cities.