Russian hooligans are planning to ambush England fans at next year’s World Cup and turn another tournament into a “festival of violence”, a chilling documentary has revealed.

Three Lions supporters are facing a repeat of the brutal beatings they suffered at last summer’s European Championship from combat-trained thugs lying in wait for them at Russia 2018.

Russian hooligans are ready to defy a crackdown on football-related disorder in the country ahead of the World Cup, with one saying: “For some, it will be a festival of football; for others, it will be a festival of violence.”

Confirmation England fans will be targeted at the tournament comes in a new film, Russia’s Hooligan Army, which airs on Thursday night.