The last time Russia played a team from their own UEFA confederation was back in November 2021. It seems like a long time ago now. Following the invasion of Ukraine in February last year – and subsequent UEFA and FIFA bans – they received the cold shoulder from Europe and were kicked out of qualification for the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 European Championship. As things stand, the road to North America in 2026 also seems blocked, through the west at least, as most European teams don’t want to be on the same pitch. But that does not mean there is no football to be played at all.
There are takers in Asia where Russia has old friends and is finding new ones too. Last year, there were friendlies against Asian Football Confederation (AFC) members Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, all former Soviet Union republics. In March this year, there was a trip to Tehran and
