World Cup 2018: Behind the curtain in secretive Russia

What should we expect from a World Cup in Russia? The BBC's World Affairs Editor John Simpson shared tales from his time in the country with Sarah Walker, including what life is like as a British journalist in Moscow.

John Simpson, BBC's World Affairs Editor:

"You'd be followed everywhere, and you know they'd be listening to your conversations if you had a flat there. I often shared the BBC flat and it was quite famous.

"If you complained about something a day or so later someone would come to the flat.

"It was a society when everyone was listened to, and it just came a bit of a surprise to people like me going there. But sometimes it can be nasty...that has faded.

"Broadly speaking the old times have gone completely."