FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Friday hailed the 2018 World Cup in Russia as the best ever.

Addressing the press at Luzhniki Stadium, Infantino praised the event organizers, the Russian government, and the many local volunteers, who he called "the smile and heart of the tournament."

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently said football fans would gain a new understanding of his country after visiting. That goal, according to Infantino, had at least been achieved.

"I think this World Cup has changed the perception of the world towards Russia," said Infantino, who donned the red uniform worn by World Cup volunteers for the press conference.

"I think that everyone who has been here for quite some time -- around a million people have been in Russia, not only Moscow, not only Saint Petersburg, not only Kazan, but in all the host cities -- everyone who has come here has discovered a beautiful country."

They have found "a welcoming country, a country full of people who are keen to show to the world that what sometimes is said is not what happens here."

Addressing claims that the tournament had helped the Russian government whitewash its role in internal and international conflicts, such as in Chechnya or Ukraine, Infantino maintained that the World Cup, if nothing else, had provided a path to dialogue.

"I think one of the things we are missing in the world, more and more, is the capacity to speak to each other, to have dialogue," he said.

"If football and the World Cup can contribute to open some channels, to open some discussions, to help those who have to take the important decisions for our world to at least to start to speak to each other...then I think we have done something."

Infantino said the traveling fans made an enormous impact, particularly the huge numbers that made the journey from South America, while also singling out Senegal and Japan supporters for particular praise.

(Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo scores his third goal against Spain with a free kick)
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"Senegal and Japan supporters cleaning the stadiums after the end of games, these are some good and positive news... that shows the spirit of friendship, the spirit of party we had."

And despite the final four teams at the tournament, and six of the last eight, being from Europe, Infantino said Croatia's performance showed there was no need for concern about the lack of parity and competitiveness in the sport.

"I don't think Croatia is necessarily a powerhouse of world or European football, as a country, but they are in the final," he said.

"In the end, it comes down to the quality of the players and it comes down to the work and the professional attitude and the way of operating."

"This World Cup, of course, shows by the results a dominance of European teams. But it has shown as well some very, very good skills, and in the end, it was very tight."

"Belgium came to the semifinal after having beaten Japan in the 94th minute and after being down 2-0. So, at the end, there are little elements that make a difference."