"I think this world cup has changed... the perception of the world towards Russia... Everyone who has come here has discovered, actually, a beautiful country, a welcoming country, a country full of people, who are keen to show to the world that what maybe sometimes is said, well, is not actually what happens here," Infantino told journalists.

He added that Russia would continue to be a "football country" after the tournament as football had become an integral part of Russia.

"Russia has become a real football country, a country where football is not only the World Cup, which is organized at an excellent level, but where football has become part of the country's DNA and the country's culture. This is thanks to the performance of the Russian national team, of course, but also thanks to all the work that has been done, the infrastructure, the stadiums, everything is extremely beautiful and extremely efficient," the FIFA President said.

 This year's tournament will come to a close on Sunday, with France taking on Croatia in the final, which well be played at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.