The Russian Football Union (RFU) has publicly outlined a range of pathways it could pursue beyond remaining in the UEFA framework or joining the Asian Football Confederation. The message from executive leadership makes clear that the organization is weighing alternatives and not leaving decisions to chance. In a recent briefing, the RFU’s General Secretary, Maxim Mitrofanov, detailed the options under consideration and stressed that every available response plan has been prepared for review and possible action in the days ahead.
Mitrofanov acknowledged a potential scenario in which the RFU might lose its FIFA membership. In such a hypothetical, the federation would need to address the fundamental question of what becomes of Russian football in the absence of its current international affiliations. He pointed out that this is not merely about institutional status; it is about organizing domestic football, safeguarding the interests of players, coaches, clubs, fans, and the national system as a whole. He suggested that the RFU is actively thinking through practical steps to maintain the sport at a high level, including how the national league and regional associations could operate if the traditional international platforms were no longer available. The emphasis remains on proactive planning, with clear statements that every possible option has been laid out and evaluated by the leadership team.
Historically, the suspension of Russia from FIFA and UEFA competitions in spring 2022 had a lasting impact on both the national team and Russian clubs. During that period, national team activities were limited to friendly matches, and Russian clubs faced restrictions on participation in European tournaments. These developments compelled the federation, clubs, players, and supporters to navigate an uncertain landscape and to rethink competing structures away from the usual official stages. By spring 2022, a broad shift in schedule and purpose was evident, with the focus shifting toward preserving competitive rhythm and safeguarding the interests of Russian football during a tumultuous transition.
In the subsequent year, the Russian clubs, with the notable exception of Zenit, did not participate in European club competitions. The national team, under head coach Valery Karpin, played a handful of friendly fixtures in 2023 as part of maintaining match practice and monitoring player development in a constrained environment. The question of aligning with another continental body, specifically the AFC, has persisted since late 2022, reflecting the federation’s ongoing search for a sustainable long‑term framework that could support Russian football’s growth, exposure, and competitiveness in a changing geopolitical and sporting landscape.
Previously, there were voices within the football community calling for changes to funding and governance structures that might alter how support is distributed for football development across the country. Debates have centered on ensuring broad-based investment, safeguarding youth programs, and maintaining the health of the domestic game amid external pressures. The RFU’s leadership has indicated that any such recalibration would be careful, measured, and aimed at preserving the sport’s vitality and future prospects rather than reacting to short-term contingencies. This framing underscores a broader commitment to building resilience at multiple levels of the football pyramid while remaining attentive to the evolving international context and the needs of players and clubs alike.