There will be no transition
The Executive Committee of the Russian Football Union refrained from moving to the Asian Football Confederation and chose to remain within the UEFA system.
The decision was driven by the lack of assurances from FIFA that, even in the event of a switch, the national team and Russian clubs could participate in international competitions after the suspension that began in March 2022 because of the military operation in Ukraine.
Regardless of confederation, participation in the main world tournaments remains uncertain while the ban persists. The possibility of Russia taking part in Asian internal tournaments is also unclear. Initially, Russian Olympic athletes were invited to the Asian Games but were ultimately barred from competing due to the IOC ban.
“The option to change confederations will not disappear,” RFU president Alexander Dyukov was quoted by Match TV as saying. “We can take advantage of this opportunity if not this year, then next year.”
He also noted that there is no guarantee the AFC will accept the Russian Football Union, even with support from multiple countries, as some Asian federations may oppose Russia’s policies. Japan, South Korea, and Australia, among others, are cited as leading example members of the AFC with potential political sensitivities. “Transition alone will not grant automatic participation in official matches. For that, FIFA’s backing is crucial, including lifting the ban on World Championship qualifiers,” Dyukov stated. He acknowledged that while many Asian officials are friendly, political considerations vary; twenty-six Asian countries backed certain political decisions against Russia, and some countries prefer not to see Russia in the AFC.
“There is better quality and more money in Europe”
Former Russian national team striker Dmitry Bulykin agreed with Dyukov in a discussion with socialbites.ca. He emphasized that there is little value in a move given the potential for sanctions everywhere, which could prevent a return to European leagues. He argued that UEFA offers higher level, greater exposure, and more financial opportunities than the AFC. “If you ask anyone about clubs in Asia, they might not even name Cristiano Ronaldo’s club,” he quipped.
Bulykin highlighted the long, intricate migration process and the many approvals required. He raised questions about whether Russian clubs would be allowed into the Champions League and whether national teams could participate. He suggested waiting longer, especially since leaders indicated that the special operation should be resolved first, after which clarity on future play would emerge.
Bulykin also noted that, following the start of the operation, some Asian teams might oppose Russia’s participation as they do in Europe. He warned that the same could happen in Asia and argued that there is little point in an immediate switch. The RFU leadership is focused on arranging friendlies to keep the team competitive and avoid losing game practice.
“There is no point in going to Asia”
The rejection of the AFC move was met with positive reaction within Russian football circles. Vyacheslav Koloskov, the vice-president of UEFA and former RFU president, remarked that the executive committee consulted a commission on transfers to the AFC but did not reveal a clear solution. He noted that UEFA’s stance remains favorable, including the ability to appoint referees for European tournaments and to integrate youth development programs. Koloskov cited a plan to bring Russian youth to U-17 tournaments, though some technical issues persist. He added that Asia has shown little real interest in welcoming Russia at this time.
Former national team goalkeeper Ruslan Nigmatullin told Sport Express that Russia’s football has traditionally been linked with Europe. He suggested that Europe remains the logical home for competition and expressed hope that UEFA bans will be lifted so Russia can compete in continental championships.
Match against Serbia
Dyukov told reporters that the national team would play its next friendly against Serbia, a match viewed as one of the most significant tests for Valery Karpin’s squad since the suspension began. The game was scheduled for March in Saint Petersburg and would require approval from UEFA and FIFA. There were no legal obstacles to the match. At the same time, Dyukov recalled the cancellation of the earlier planned match with Bosnia and Herzegovina, noting that the current circumstances are different because a formal contract has now been signed rather than a verbal agreement.