"Every team is under a lot of psychological pressure. Our team is under the pressure at the home tournament, but I think our boys can handle the pressure and show [us] a good game," Bulykin said.

He added that the team had a number of players who could "realize their potential," naming striker Fyodor Smolov, midfielders Aleksandr Golovin and Anton Miranchuk. Bulykin said that the players who stood out at the tournament would have a chance to join one of the European Premier League Clubs.

Bulykin is a former Lokomotiv and Dynamo Moscow forward who retired in 2016. He had also played 15 games for the national team, scoring a total of eight goals.

Russia will host its first World Cup from June 14 to July 15, the matches will take place at 12 stadiums in 11 cities across the country. The host country will play Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Uruguay in Group A.