No Putin plan to attend Russia v Uruguay

Russia President Vladimir Putin does not plan to attend the national team's last World Cup group stage match against Uruguay, according to his spokesman.

"It is not yet in the president's schedule. He has other work-related plans," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in comments carried by state news agency TASS.

"However, during these football days, his schedule is flexible," Peskov was quoted as saying.

Putin said in an interview with Chinese state media before the tournament that he would attend the opening and closing ceremonies, and would try to go to other matches if possible.

Hosts Russia emphatically won their first two matches, 5-0 against Saudi Arabia in the opener and then 3-1 against Egypt, to reach the last 16.

Putin attended the opening match in Moscow alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Putin then skipped Russia's next match, in his hometown Saint Petersburg, because he was in the Belarusian capital Minsk on official business.

The hosts finalise their Group A campaign in Samara on Monday, with a draw against Uruguay enough to seal top spot.