A LEADING terror expert has revealed how the World Cup is likely to be a target for ISIS nuts fired by religious zeal over the holy month of Ramadan.

Rita Katz – head of the respected Site Intelligence – has uncovered a string of increasingly blood-thirsty threats to the showpiece tournament that begins in less than a month.

5 An ISIS propaganda image claiming to warn of an impending attack

The most recent came this week on ISIS-supporting internet channels with grisly propaganda snaps of stars Messi and Ronaldo being beheaded on the pitch.

Another showed a suicide bomber outside Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium - home of the final - and warned: “We are in Russia."

The security analyst wrote on Twitter: “Hard to ignore the recurring threats against #FIFAWorldCup2018 that have come from #ISIS channels online in recent months: images depicting killed players, advice for attacks, etc.

"SITE has reported on six this past week along.

“To put things into perspective, a major event like #FIFAWorldCup2018 is a natural target for terrorist.

"Rio 2016 Olympics, for example, received plenty of threats from jihadists online and authorities even arrested 10 ISIS supporters prior to events."

5 The World Cup would offer a prime target because a single strike could hit a great deal of nationalities, analysts fear

Mr Katz added: “However, different circumstances surround #FIFAWorldCup2018: month of Ramadan (during which jihadis expect increased spiritual rewards for attacks), a militarily battered #ISIS shifting priorities toward lone wolf attacks, & Russia being a much higher-profile terrorist target.

“These threats are fitting to attack aims issued in official #ISIS propaganda, though ISIS has not officially mentioned FIFA.

“And, with Russia being one of ISIS’ major enemies, these threats are clearly being pushed by ISIS officials.”

5 This image refers to an evil plot to decapitate Messi and Ronaldo

5 This was posted by an ISIS linked French based group

5 This one fantasises about keeping Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Ronaldo as prisoners while the stadium burns down

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It comes as Security forces around the world are braced for a surge in bloody attacks from ISIS militants during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.

Ramadan - which began on Tuesday - falls at different times of the year and last year the London Bridge and Borough Market attacks came during the period of reflection and fasting.

And the 2015 Tunisia massacre also occurred during Ramadan.

In recent weeks the group has called for lone wolf attacks in London, France and Italy as well as strikes against the World Cup in Russia – with posters released this week showing football stars Messi and Ronaldo being beheaded.

ISIS has issued formal calls for violence in past years, vowing that jihadists would receive extra reward in the afterlife for attacks during the Islamic holy month.

Moment 'ISIS terrorist' is liquidated by FSB marksmen in Russian city where England will play in World Cup

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