Valery Masalitin, the former CSKA Moscow striker, weighs in on the national team’s future, suggesting Russia could still face teams even while suspended. He argues that the ban does not erase the possibility of international competition entirely; it merely redirects the stage to other opportunities beyond the immediate confines of European football. Masalitin’s stance reflects a broader belief that Russia can keep its footballing ambitions alive by exploring matches outside the sanctioned European framework and by organizing alternative events that still showcase national talent on a global scale.
He notes that European nations may prefer not to engage with Russia for political reasons, but that choice does not have to paralyze the sport. If Europe closes its doors, the doorways open elsewhere. He envisions tournaments that include clubs and national teams from Africa, Latin America, and Asia, arguing that such pathways could maintain competitive edges, foster player development, and sustain fan interest during the suspension period. The idea is to pivot toward a more global calendar of friendlies and non-FIFA-recognized events that keep the sport vibrant while sanctions limit participation under traditional flags.
The international governing bodies, FIFA and UEFA, imposed a suspension on Russia’s participation in all competitions they oversee in early 2022. This decision effectively removed the national team and Russian clubs from the official lineup of matches governed by those organizations for the spring season, creating a vacuum in which alternative arrangements could emerge but within a different regulatory and competitive framework.
Throughout the year, the Russian side has pursued a slate of friendly fixtures with teams from Asia, including Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. On September 12, Russia played to a 1-1 draw with Qatar, a result that underscored the team’s ongoing desire to stay match-fit and competitive despite the sanctions. Looking ahead, October fixtures against Cameroon and Kenya were on the calendar, signaling an intent to broaden the national team’s international exposure beyond European borders and to test the squad against diverse tactical approaches and playing conditions.
These developments occur within a wider discourse about the reach and resilience of football programs under political and administrative pressure. Another voice in the conversation, Tatyana Tarasova, has referenced broader concerns about football activity within Russia. Her perspective adds to the sense that the sport’s domestic ecosystem faces a period of disruption and reconfiguration, while the national team seeks to maintain its competitive edge through international relations and strategic scheduling in a shifting global landscape.