"We are certain that the World Cup will be held on the highest organizational level... Our city is becoming a football capital. We have built a unique stadium equipped with retractable roof and retractable pitch... Our stadium is not only hi-tech but also safe," Poltavchenko said.

He added that two new metro stations had been opened in the city ahead of the World Cup, and in particularly, the Novokrestovskaya station, which is located at the western tip of Krestovsky Island, close to the St. Petersburg Stadium.

A total of 12 tourist information centers will be opened near some of the city’s major tourist attractions ahead of the World Cup.

On nights when matches will start at 9 p.m. local time, the metro will close later than usual, while the schedule for the opening and closing of bridges over the Neva River will also be adjusted in order to provide better transport links between the city’s districts.

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

The 67,000-seater St. Petersburg Stadium will host seven World Cup games, including a semi-final and the third-place match.