Vyacheslav Koloskov, who serves as the Honorary President of the Russian Football Union, offered his perspective on the reasons behind Valery Karpin’s decision to invite eight Spartak Muscovites to the March training camp and to participate in the forthcoming friendlies. Koloskov spoke about what lies behind the national team coach’s selections and how Karpin envisions the squad taking shape during this critical preparatory window.
Koloskov emphasized that Karpin brings a distinct tactical outlook to the team. He questioned which players from the country are currently breaking into the national setup, noting that most of the prominent selections at the moment come from abroad rather than from native clubs. He pointed to Zenit as a club that fields primarily foreign players, while Dynamo Moscow has shown volatility, and Lokomotiv Moscow has faced inconsistent performance. In Krasnodar, Koloskov observed, the trend continued with a predominance of foreign players. Rostov, in his view, has not delivered convincing performances lately, making Spartak stand out as the one club consistently delivering solid football. This assessment forms the backdrop for Karpin’s roster choices, suggesting that the coach is prioritizing certain qualities that Spartak has demonstrated on the domestic stage. This context helps explain why a sizeable representation from Spartak features in the training camp and in the engagement with Iran and Iraq during the March period.
The national team is set to engage in two friendly matches as part of the preparation program. The team will travel to Tehran to face Iran on March 23, and then meet the Iraqi national squad in St. Petersburg in a second international test. These matches are framed as valuable opportunities for Karpin to evaluate new combinations, test players in different tactical setups, and gauge how the squad copes with continental travel, varied opponents, and the pressures of international competition ahead of any longer-term commitments. The schedule reflects an approach focused on sharpening team chemistry and building confidence among players who may be called upon for future duties with the national team, even in contexts where sanctions and sanctions-related consequences have shaped the broader competitive landscape.
It is worth recalling that the previous year brought notable changes to the international scene, with FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations implementing measures that excluded the Russian national team and all Russian clubs from participation in competitions overseen by these bodies. This backdrop has constrained the national program while simultaneously prompting strategic recalibration. The coaching staff, players, and administrative leadership have had to navigate a more constrained calendar, seeking opportunities to remain visible on the international stage through friendlies and regional tournaments where possible. The situation has also sparked discussions about the long-term development pipeline for Russian football and how the federation can foster domestic talent in this environment.
Former Russian international striker Dmitry Bulykin weighed in on the invitation of first-time players to the national squad on the verge of the Iran and Iraq friendlies. He offered insights into how the newcomers could adapt to international play and what the selection might signal about the federation’s broader talent strategy. Bulykin also touched on the possibility of Russia participating in an international friendly tournament under the auspices of the Central Asian Football Federation, a development that could provide additional match opportunities and help integrate emerging players into the national setup. This commentary reflects an ongoing conversation about balancing experience with fresh faces, and about how the national team can stay competitive under the evolving framework of international football governance and regional competition. The viewpoints cited here illustrate the diversity of opinions that accompany squad selection and the care taken to manage expectations among fans and stakeholders alike.