Despite Tensions With Russia, World Cup Countries Pitch in for Tournament Safety

Joseph Stokoe, crime and operations specialist of London's Metropolitan Police, takes part in the opening of the International Police Cooperation Centre ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Domodedovo near Moscow, Russia, June 12, 2018. Reuters/Sergei Karpukhin

DOMODEDOVO, Russia—As World Cup squads and their fans fly into Russia for the start of the tournament on Thursday, so do police officers from all the competing nations to help deter hooliganism and the threat of any militant attack.

The country has deployed thousands of police to the 11 host cities to deal with an influx of potentially rowdy soccer fans and other security threats.