Players from the Cuban national team arrived in Volgograd for a match against the Russian side, but they faced an unexpected gear challenge: they did not have the right boots. The situation was explained by Miguel Angel Diaz, who serves as Secretary General of Cuba’s Football Federation, as reported by Match TV. Diaz noted the practical hurdles that come with playing on fields that differ from those the team is used to, and he shared how the issue unfolded in Russia.
Diaz explained that the team sometimes encounters difficulties when coming to another country for competition. In Cuba, many venues use synthetic turf where the field conditions are dry and compact, which typically calls for boots with shorter studs. On this occasion, the Cubans found themselves unprepared for the specific surface in Russia, where the grass and ground conditions required different footwear to maintain traction and stability. The team’s traveling staff quickly assessed the situation and began looking for a solution.
The Cubans managed to acquire the necessary boots in Volgograd. Diaz emphasized that while the choice of footwear was driven by the need for functional performance on the local surface, the priority was ensuring players could compete effectively rather than pursuing premium equipment. The goal was to have shoes that would allow the team to play a standard game on the grass field, even if they did not meet the usual quality benchmarks typically associated with high-end football boots.
The upcoming schedule includes a match between Russia and Cuba on November 20, with kickoff set for 19:30 Moscow time. This fixture marks the fifth friendly for Cuba in 2023, illustrating the ongoing rhythm of international exchanges during the season and the adaptive strategies teams employ when traveling to unfamiliar venues.
It is also relevant to the broader context of international football governance. In the spring of 2022, FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) decided to suspend participation by the Russian national team and all Russian clubs in competitions under their purview. Since that decision, Russian teams have competed solely in friendly fixtures, shaping a distinctive competitive landscape for the nation and its opponents during this period.
In remarks surrounding the Cuban squad’s approach to the matchup, there was no indication of a fixed outcome being pursued at any cost. The focus remained on preparing effectively, adapting to conditions on the day, and delivering a competitive performance within the constraints of travel and equipment. The dialogue around the event reflected a practical, results-oriented mindset rather than any rigid expectation of victory.