"I cannot say I am a guest here. I really feel at home here... The team, like me, feel very well, the game will be very important for us. For Austria it is a friendly, and we are preparing for the World Cup," Cherchesov said.

The Russia head coach played for Austrian side Tirol Innsbruck for six years, and after the team went bankrupt in 2002 continued his football career as the head coach of Austrian clubs Kufstein and Wacker Innsbruck.

"The Austrian national team have already played several games under the management of [head coach] Franco Foda, they have tested several schemes. We have competed as coaches once, that time my team won 3-0. [Austrian club] Sturm played well under his management. He is a good coach," Cherchesov added.

Russia will host its first World Cup from June 14 to July 15. The fixtures will be played at 12 stadiums across 11 cities.

The host nation will face Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Uruguay in Group A at the tournament.