The Brazilian Football Confederation’s media team indicated that a potential friendly match against the Russian national team has entered the conversation, with discussions centering on timing and feasibility. The focus for Brazil remains on refining its plan for the upcoming calendar, weighing opportunities to arrange non-competitive matches that can help the squad build readiness while also honoring existing commitments on the 2024 schedule.
Officials noted that the 2024 friendly and competitive slate for the Brazilian national team is already fully scheduled, making it challenging to slot any additional international dates with Russia in the near term. The process of coordinating such fixtures involves multiple federations and approvals, and any decision would depend on mutual agreement and available windows in both teams’ calendars.
There is cautious discussion about organizing a friendly in 2025, but at present it is premature to confirm anything. The federation stressed that if an opportunity arises and both federations agree, a formal announcement would be made. In the meantime, the focus remains on preparing the squad for upcoming assignments while monitoring potential openings for international play.
Historically, the Russian national team faced a broad suspension from FIFA and UEFA competitions starting in early 2022, affecting both the national team and all Russian clubs in events controlled by these bodies. This has had wide implications for scheduling and international relationships in the sport, with many conversations centering on pathways to resume normal competitive exchanges in the future.
Recent results show the Russian side achieving a notable result in a match held in Volgograd, where they defeated Cuba in a decisive 8-0 victory. The outcome was anticipated to influence discussions around FIFA rankings, given the performance as part of the ongoing evaluation of national teams within the ranking framework managed by FIFA.
In the latest FIFA rankings, Russia sits in the 38th position, while Brazil holds the 5th spot, underscoring the contrasting trajectories of the two programs and shaping expectations around potential matchups when international schedules reopen. These rankings are widely cited in planning and forecasting for national teams, helping federations gauge competitive level and regional clout during cycles of qualification and friendly matches.
Previously, there was publicly stated openness from the RFU regarding the prospect of an encounter with Brazil, reflecting ongoing interest on both sides to explore opportunities for competition once the international system allows more flexible scheduling. The dialogue between federations reflects broader dynamics in European and South American football as federations navigate the return to regular international play after interruptions caused by the suspension period.