It follows Sochi 2014, where the build-up was overshadowed with with criticism over anti-gay rights, as well as concerns over the treatment of workers, the environment and the local population during the construction process.

Numerous international leaders, including United States President Barack Obama and various Western European counterparts, opted not to attend the Opening Ceremony of the Games in what was interpreted as a protest over these controversies.

Following Russia's subsequent intervention in Ukraine, which escalated shortly before the beginning of the Paralympics, there has been more criticism of Russia's suitability to host major sporting events, with British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg even claiming stripping Russia of its right to hold football's showpiece event would be a "very potent political and symbolic sanction".

Sorokin, a former general director of the Russian Football Union, admitted Sochi 2014 had made mistakes but vowed that Russia 2018 would show all that is good about the world's largest country.

Gay rights concerns was one of several issues which encouraged widespread protests ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics and Paralympics ©AFP/Getty Images



"I think they got many things wrong," the official told CNN, when asked about the Sochi 2014 build-up

"There were many fears which in the end did not turn into reality, and that was one of the good things about Sochi, they've proven many of the statements which preceded them wrong.

"Many of them we don't know where they came from or the reason why they appeared."

"We'd like to show a true, open nation, a very hospitable nation.

"We're prepared to walk that extra mile to make it successful, to make it comfortable for everyone.

"If we can persuade media to take a closer look at that, there will be more trust in us.

"FIFA and our leaders are very firm, human rights are going to be respected and the World Cup is not a place for any discrimination."

Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, pictured during the World Athletics Championships last August, is undergoing renovation work in time for the 2018 FIFA World Cup ©Getty Images



With the spotlight on Russia 2018 growing following the conclusion of this summer's tournament in Brazil, FIFA have claimed the £340 million ($549 million/€430 million) reconstruction of Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, in which the World Cup Final is due to take place, is "ahead of schedule" following an inspection visit.

A 40-strong inspection group led by Chris Unger, head of the FIFA Monitoring Committee, has visited stadia in St Petersburg, Sochi and Kazan as well as Moscow, where the 45,000-capacity Otkrytie Arena, the home of Spartak Moscow, has already undergone a successful £300 million ($485 million/€380 million) renovation, with the venue officially opening in August.

The Luzhniki, which was also used for the Moscow 1980 Olympic Games and the 2008 Champions League Final, is estimated to be at least 18 months from completion, with the entire inside of the stadium being totally reconstructed.

Unger insisted the Luzhniki is on course to be ready to host the final of the 2017 Confederations Cup, the test event that takes place a year before the World Cup.

In total, 12 stadiums will host matches in 2018, with the cities of Saransk, Kaliningrad, Volgograd, Rostov-on-Don, Nizhny Novgorod, Yekaterinburg and Samara also being used.

When asked how Russia would rise to the challenge of matching a FIFA World Cup in Brazil that was widely considered the best ever, Sorokin quipped that they would organise the "next best World Cup ever".

"It is not a question of exceeding Brazil but a question of organising something unique with its own identity," he told CNN.

"Something which will remain in the memories of people for a very long time."

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