The hosts are set to face Saudi Arabia in the World Cup opening match at Moscow's 81,000-seater Luzhniki Stadium on Thursday.

"We have a great team, we're preparing for the World Cup matches every day. We expect to have a successful start at the tournament," Fernandes told journalists.

The 27-year-old, who has been playing for CSKA Moscow in the Russian Premier League since 2012, spoke to the journalists through an interpreter, but said that he was making progress in learning Russian.

"I understand a lot already and when I don't understand, someone helps me. But I know a lot already," Fernandes added.

Fernandes was capped once for Brazil before becoming a Russian citizen and has subsequently made five international appearances for his new country since 2017, including a 1-0 friendly defeat at the hands of Austria on May 30 and a 1-1 draw against Turkey in the team's final warm-up friendly on June 5.

Russia will host its first-ever FIFA World Cup from June 14 to July 15, with the hosts set to face Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Uruguay in Group A.