Saudi Arabia lost 2-1 to Italy in a pre-World Cup friendly on Monday.

"I watched the game between Italy and Saudi Arabia, not a bad squad [Saudi Arabia]. Bad teams do not qualify for the World Cup. They are a mobile unit and are not afraid to play football. They made Italians nervous and will be difficult opponents [at the World Cup]," Semyonov told journalists.

Saudi Arabia have been drawn in Group A along with the hosts Russia, Egypt and Uruguay. Russia will meet Saudi Arabia in the opening game of the competition on June 14 in Moscow.

Russia will host its first-ever FIFA World Cup from June 14 to July 15. The matches are set to play at 12 stadiums across 11 cities.