Southgate will travel to Russia with his family

In a bid to reassure the England team and fans, manager Southgate has announced that his family will also travel to Russia alongside him as the England boss is tasked with maintaining squad preparations despite increasing political tensions between the UK and Russia. 

Following the poisoning of Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter on British-soil, political confrontations have escalated prompting concerns over whether it is safe to travel to Russia for the World Cup. Southgate, though, insists that he is planning to travel with his wife and two children despite the security fears. 

Southgate said in a press conference: ''Russia is culturally an incredible country to visit, so I want them to experience it, and for them to go to a World Cup as well.’'

He added: ''We’re like everyone else, we have to see what the advice is and if things change, but that’s their intention. They have got to balance that with being at school and university at the right times so they won’t be there for too long, but it’s an experience I want them to have.''

The 27-man England squad was announced on Thursday for friendlies later this month against Holland and Italy, although excitement has been overshadowed by growing concerns about the tournament being staged in Russia.

The FA Director of Strategy and Communications, Robert Sullivan, has said that only a direct threat to security would prevent England from competing.