Fifa chief tells Vladimir Putin the world has fallen for World Cup hosts Russia

Infantino spoke at a meeting with Putin and former world football stars including former England defender Rio Ferdinand and ex-Denmark goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel.

“We all fell in love with Russia,” Infantino told a beaming Putin at the televised meeting in the Kremlin.

“Everyone who has been here for a period of time now has discovered a country that we didn’t know.”

Despite high tensions with the West, Putin has presided over a well-organised, good-humoured tournament.

Human Rights Watch said the tournament is taking place “during the worst human rights crisis in Russia since the Soviet era.”