"Russia has fundamentally and responsibly prepared for the championship and we are sincerely glad that it was a success, which united millions people around," Putin said at a concert in the Bolshoi Theatre devoted to the closing of the FIFA World Cup.

"Our efforts have been properly appreciated by athletes, for whom we created all the conditions so that they could show the maximum of their capabilities, by media representatives ... and, of course, by fans," Putin added.

The Russian leader also promised to think about a possibility of organizing of a "comfortable visa regime" for fans, who "have fallen in love with Russia," and who are seeking to return again and bring their families and friends.

On Sunday, Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium will host the final match between the national teams of France and Croatia, which will mark the end of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.