RFU President Outlines Possible Shift to AFC and Ongoing Dialogue with UEFA
The president of the Russian Football Union, Alexander Dyukov, indicated that the question of the federation’s future alignment, including a potential move to the Asian Football Confederation, will be resolved through direct discussions between the RFU leadership and the AFC, rather than at the European football congress. He emphasized that discussions at the European Union level will be avoided on the main stage. Instead, conversations about such a strategic shift are expected to unfold on the sidelines as part of broader, private exchanges among officials and federations.
Dyukov stressed that every meeting yields valuable insights and helps answer the questions that have arisen among stakeholders. He noted that while the topic of closer integration with Asian confederations will not be the centerpiece of the upcoming congress, it will still be addressed in informal settings around the event schedule. The goal is to gauge possibilities for progress in discussions about our national team’s participation in competitions organized by European authorities, with the option of recalibrating course if necessary. The RFU aims to determine whether there remains hope for returning to UEFA controlled events or if the path should turn toward Asia, where talks with the Asian Confederation could take precedence.
In this context, Dyukov recalled that back in spring 2022, the World governing body of football and UEFA decided to suspend the Russian national squad and all Russian clubs from events organized under their purview. This suspension has shaped the strategic debate and influenced how the RFU plans its calendar, competitions, and international partnerships in the months ahead. The autumn discussions about a potential switch to the AFC reflect a continued search for the most favorable competitive framework for Russian football, taking into account the global realignment of international football structures and the evolving landscape of sanctions and eligibility rules that affect participation in major tournaments.
The broader conversation surrounding a shift to the Asian Conference involves a federation with a footprint spanning numerous national teams that regularly compete in regional and continental events, including the Asian Cup, the AFC Champions League, and the AFC Cup. The RFU seeks clarity on how an affiliation with the AFC would align with Russia’s sporting priorities, development programs, and long-term ambitions in international football. This strategic review includes assessing the level of competition, travel logistics, sponsorship implications, and the potential to grow the sport domestically by engaging with a different continental framework. Such considerations are part of a careful, stepwise approach to ensure any decision would support Russia’s national teams and football infrastructure in a sustainable way.
Former Russian coach Valery Karpin has previously weighed in on the comparative levels of play between European and Asian teams, highlighting perceived differences in competition depth and style. His comments have fed into the ongoing debate, fueling discussions about where the national team might best compete while still maintaining high standards of performance. The ongoing dialogue is shaped by the objective of preserving competitiveness, ensuring fair opportunities on the world stage, and aligning with international governance while navigating the current geopolitical and sporting context. The RFU remains committed to open, thorough, and transparent engagement with all relevant federations and stakeholders as it charts the future path for Russian football.