What has become of Russia’s national team since its international ban | OneFootball

With the World Cup under way, Russia’s national team remains barred from official competition more than four years on, surviving through low key friendlies and chequebook diplomacy. Opponents regularly step away.

According to L'Équipe, in October 2024 the federation scrapped that window’s match programme, opting only for a training session and fan event at Dynamo Moscow with children from Belgorod and Kursk, after invitations were rebuffed. Pakistan also declined despite travel costs being covered.

On 28 February 2022 FIFA and UEFA suspended Russia’s national teams and clubs until further notice, and ended the Gazprom partnership, hoping circumstances would quickly improve. They have not.

As the war dragged on, many nations avoided Russia. Gianni Infantino later argued the ban had only fuelled frustration and that players should not be barred for political acts, a stance condemned by Ukraine’s foreign minister, who cited hundreds of children killed.

In September 2023 UEFA briefly moved to readmit Russia’s U17s under a neutral flag, then reversed after boycott threats from England, Poland, Sweden and Denmark.

Russia have exploited a grey area to arrange FIFA‑date friendlies with willing federations, facing Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Cuba, Vietnam and Grenada, while holding a FIFA ranking of 36. Results have been lopsided, including five against Grenada, eight past Cuba in November 2023 and 11 versus Brunei’s B side a year later, though Egypt’s U23s drew 1-1 then won 2-1 in September 2023.

Valeri Karpin says he wants top 10 opponents but Russia play those who accept, often states close to Moscow, such as Serbia 4-0 in March 2024, Belarus 4-1 in June 2025, Zambia 5-0 in March 2025 and Iran 2-1 in October 2025.

To secure fixtures, the RFS has paid heavily, with visits by Chile 0-2 and Bolivia 3-0 costing around €10m including logistics, plus match fees up to €900,000, while players receive €2,000 to €3,000.

Crowds and TV audiences have ebbed, and a mooted AFC switch was dropped as Aleksander Ceferin said reintegration would follow the war’s end. This summer’s friendlies included Egypt 0-1 on 28 May, then Burkina Faso 3-0 and Trinidad and Tobago, ranked 102.

The women’s side has been sidelined since February 2022 too, relying on friendlies against Serbia, Iran and China despite historic club pedigree. Coaches say judging the level is difficult and are prioritising development.

Source: L'Équipe