World Cup 2018: Vladimir Putin warns officials over preparations

The 2018 World Cup will feature 32 teams playing in 11 cities across the country

Russian president Vladimir Putin has warned 2018 World Cup officials that delays to preparations for the tournament are "unacceptable", although they are not yet "critical".

Russia will host its first World Cup from 14 June to 15 July using 12 venues in 11 cities across the country.

Putin, 64, said that while work was "entirely satisfactory" overall, "there are nevertheless some delays".

"If we relax, we will not fully accomplish the work," he said.

In June this year, Russia hosted the Confederations Cup in a dress rehearsal for the World Cup.

The tournament passed without any major incidents of fan violence or problems with infrastructure and was described by Fifa president Gianni Infantino as a "great success".

But Putin says the final months of preparation are key to the smooth running of football's biggest tournament.

"It is the most difficult thing to resolve tasks at a final stage," he told the TASS news agency.

Russia opened an information centre at its London tourist office in September to ease England fans' fears about hooligans.

The country has also relaxed visa regulations for travelling fans and will issue special identity cards to make stadiums safer.

Work on the Samara Arena, which will host several World Cup games, in the south of Russia is estimated to be a month behind schedule