The RFU expects that the Russian team will be able to return to international competitions in four years. This follows from the approved concept of the team’s activities during the period of sanctions.
The qualifying tournament for the 2030 World Cup, which starts in the fall of 2028, is now considered a guideline for the return of the Russian team to the RFU.
To maintain the competitiveness of Russian players until this time, the RFU plans to hold up to ten friendly matches a year.
The RFU also plans to hold a commercial tournament in Russia or abroad “with the invitation of national teams participating in world championships and continental championships.”
FIFA and UEFA suspended Russian national teams of all levels and Russian football clubs from participating in competitions under their auspices after the invasion of Russian troops in Ukraine.
The RFU considered the possibility of leaving UEFA and joining the Asian Football Confederation, but in the end it was decided to abandon this step. In Russia they explained this by saying that such a transition would still not guarantee the admission of Russian teams to the competition. Now the RFU continues negotiations with UEFA.
Tags: RFU named target return Russian national team international tournaments
