Vladimir Putin says the 2018 World Cup has helped combat negative stereotypes about Russia. Putin made the comments while hosting Fifa president Gianni Infantino and a number of renowned football players in the Kremlin. The Russian president adds that many preconceived notions about his country have ‘simply collapsed’ during the tournament. Former Germany captain Lothar Matthäus says that ‘this is one of the best World Cups I’ve seen in the last 40 years’.