Head of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev has discussed security issues at this year's soccer World Cup with his Israeli counterpart Meir Ben-Shabbat, the RIA news agency reported on Thursday.
Russia will host the World Cup from June 14 to July 15 in 12 venues spread across 11 cities, including Moscow, St. Petersburg and Sochi.
"The exchange of information between the two countries' law enforcement agencies, cooperation for legal assistance requests, and cooperation for providing security throughout the preparations for and during the 2018 soccer World Cup were discussed," Russia's Security Council said in a statement.
Western intelligence analysts have warned that the high-profile tournament will be an "attractive target" for terrorists, particularly Islamic State, given Russia's role in the territorial defeat the jihadi group has suffered in Syria.
A successful attack on the tournament would provide a tremendous propaganda boost for Islamic State, as it would underscore the ongoing international threat the group poses despite its losses.
