SAMARA, Russia—Before soccer’s World Cup kicked off in Russia, the country’s general prosecutor announced a crackdown on a group of soccer hooligans who brought a mix of nationalism and violence against foreigners to the streets of this leafy city on the Volga River.
The move is part of an effort by Russian President Vladimir Putin to use the tournament to carry out a charm offensive and show a friendlier side to the country, as the West has sought to isolate Russia over its military interventions in Ukraine and Syria and...