"We have repaired and reconstructed 213 kilometers (132 miles) of roads, acquired 1,300 pieces of medical equipment, almost 40 percent of public transport has been renewed, and 67 ambulances have been put into service. Also there are new training bases and of course the new stadium," Azarov said at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), adding that all the infrastructure will serve Samara in the future.

Azarov also said that Samara had already hosted three test events, which was a requirement for FIFA and the Local Organizing Committee. He stressed that fears that the stadium would not be built on time proved to be false and that the city was ready to host the World Cup.

"We will do our best to make sure it will be a real sports festival for the fans who will come to our region from different continents. I am sure that there will be a real celebration, which will unite the public and politics will not play a part, as football is the most democratic sport. I am sure that it will be the best FIFA World Cup in history," Azarov added.

SPIEF is a major global forum, which started on Thursday and will continue through until Saturday.

The FIFA World Cup will run between June 14 and July 15 at 12 stadiums across 11 cities. Samara is set to host four group stage matches, one round of 16 fixture and a quarter-final.