A veteran forward who once wore the Lokomotiv Moscow jersey as well as the Russia national team spoke about when the national squad might resume official competition. In a conversation with a reporter from socialbites.ca, the player outlined a timeline that suggests Russia could rejoin sanctioned international play in 2024. The discussion centers on the possibility of returning to a schedule of official fixtures after a period away from sanctioned events.
In the interview, there is talk of a plan to reenter official matches within the near term, with the potential for friendly games against nations willing to engage with Russia and view sports as a bridge beyond political disagreements. The appeal of representing the country on the world stage is highlighted as a powerful motivator for players to train with focus and pride, aiming to perform at their best when competition resumes.
The dialogue notes that the push to come back is linked to the belief that national team duty remains highly valued by players, creating a strong incentive to participate in international football once appropriate avenues reopen.
Context is provided by recalling that FIFA suspended Russia from World Cup qualifying playoffs in March 2022, which prevented participation in the World Cup in Qatar. Subsequently, UEFA removed Russia from the 2024 European Championship qualifying competition held in Germany. The timeline emphasizes the long interruption in official competition and the anticipated shift toward sanctioned play when conditions allow.
The squad, led by captain Valery Karpin, last appeared in a friendly against Iraq in November 2022. The match took place at Gazprom Arena in St. Petersburg and finished with a 2-0 result. The narrative also includes remarks from Thiago Ribeiro regarding changes in the national team staff during a peak moment of the season, reflecting the broader organizational dynamics behind any potential return.