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More than two years of full-fledged sanctions against Russian football have both created a bunch of problems and opened up many development paths for the industry. The main difficulty is the lack of understanding when this stage may end. The Russian Football Union (RFU) is not sitting idly by and, at the center of the new concept, has outlined a time frame for when the national team’s return to international competitions can take place. Sports correspondent talks about whether to believe these forecasts and how to build on them.
According to the RFU management, the benchmark for the Russian national team’s return to competition is the qualifying tournament for the 2030 World Cup, which starts in the fall of 2028. Until then, according to the organization, the national team will maintain international form by participating in a large number of friendly matches. In addition, an initiative has been announced to hold a commercial tournament with the participation of teams from South America, Asia and Africa in the period 2025-2026. The RFU also plans to increase the number of candidates for the national team, including among young football players who regularly play in the Russian Premier League (RPL).
Should setting deadlines be considered a step forward in the current situation? You have to understand that, in principle, little has changed. The International Football Federation (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) will not make any drastic changes or reformat their positions until the completion of the SBA, no matter in what format it happens. In this situation, the RFU is not only engaged in designing its future activities, but also sending unambiguous signals to international actors — we are alive and are even ready to set the conditions for you to return us.
Undoubtedly, the lack of constant competitive practice in competition with the best foreign teams will continue to have a detrimental effect on the level of the national team and no commercial tournaments will change the situation here. But let’s admit that the quiet diplomatic work of the RFU is bearing fruit, because the national teams of Serbia and Cameroon, who most recently opposed the team of Valery Karpin, are no match for the same Tajiks and Kenyans with whom we began our difficult sanction path. Our foreign colleagues, naturally, see significant progress, which should affect the change in attitude towards us on the part of senior officials. The rhetoric of UEFA head Aleksandar Čeferin is a clear example of this.
Another four years of sanctions in this situation will not only not drown, but will strengthen our football. Functionaries, as well as the institute of national teams and the RPL, will receive incredibly valuable experience previously unavailable to any football association. Yes, the road map for return will be as winding as possible, but since we have started this path, it will have to be passed with honor. I don’t believe in a transition from UEFA to Asia or another confederation; it won’t happen for a combination of objective reasons, so the RFU will continue to use the method of quiet but effective diplomacy.
In this context, it seems that the forecast for 2028 is more pessimistic than optimistic, because no one is stopping the clubs from returning to the same European competitions in 2026. The main task now is to maintain the intended course, and not toss from side to side, not to try to adapt to the changing geopolitical wind. International football currently exists without Russia, but with Russia and its capabilities it would be much easier. This must be understood not only by our sports officials, but also by you and me.