Russia to Play Friendly Against Zambia Amid Suspension Fallout
The Russian national football team is scheduled to face Zambia in a forthcoming friendly match. According to Zambia Football Federation Secretary General Ruben Kamanga, an agreement has been reached with the Russian Football Union to organize a match in September or October this year, with a specific date to be confirmed soon.
Kamanga noted that the two federations are coordinating the schedule through formal channels, and the exact date will be announced once logistical details are finalized. This planned encounter comes at a time when Russia has been sidelined from major international competitions as a result of suspensions imposed by both UEFA and FIFA following wider sanctions related to political events in the region (Sports24, attribution).
Russia has effectively remained absent from European Championship action since 2022 due to the bans that barred national teams and clubs from UEFA and FIFA tournaments. This has interrupted a long streak of participation in major tournaments, a pattern that continued after Russia failed to reach the playoff stage in the 2022 World Cup, thereby missing the global showpiece for the second consecutive cycle. The European Championship in particular has not seen the Russian side compete in more than two decades, marking a notable pause in its competitive timeline (historical federation records, attribution).
The 2024 European Championship is scheduled to be staged on venues across Germany from June 14 to July 14. At present, the reigning champions of Europe are Italy, who secured the title in the previous edition and are set to defend their crown as the tournament unfolds on German soil (tournament overview, attribution).
Commentators have observed that the Russian team, once led by coach Valery Karpin, has faced qualification challenges that further complicated its ability to participate in Euro competition. A former CSKA Moscow player noted in a recent discussion that the national team did not qualify for the continental championship, underscoring the impact of the sanctions and the resulting competitive gaps (player perspective, attribution).
As the teams map out their schedules, fans will watch closely to see how the international calendar evolves for Russia in the wake of ongoing sanctions. The proposed match against Zambia offers a chance to re-engage with the global football community, test new players, and refine tactics ahead of future qualifiers and potential return opportunities in FIFA-sanctioned events (analysis and context, attribution).
In summary, the planned Russia–Zambia friendly represents more than a single fixture. It signals a potential step toward renewed international engagement while the broader landscape of European and global football continues to navigate bans, participation eligibility, and the long-term implications for Russia’s national team program (summary and outlook, attribution).