Valery Karpin leads the Russian national football team as head coach, and a fresh jersey design was introduced to symbolize the squad’s identity on the field. The update featured the red home shirt and carried the number eight across the back, a choice that aligned with the team’s visual identity for the season.
In March, the national team outlined a pair of friendly fixtures: a match against Serbia and a test with Paraguay, both scheduled to take place in Moscow. These games are part of a broader plan to build cohesion and evaluate players ahead of future international commitments while the team navigates the evolving landscape of global football governance.
Historically, Russia faced sanctions from major governing bodies in 2022, when FIFA and UEFA suspended the national team and Russian clubs from all competitions under their jurisdiction. The result was that Russia did not participate in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoffs and has not appeared in European Championship competition since the suspension. In the following years, the team organized a series of friendlies, including notable wins against Iraq, Cameroon, and Cuba, as part of ongoing preparations and to maintain competitive readiness.
RFU officials have continued to discuss the national team’s plans, focusing on development pathways for players, coaching, and performance benchmarks while the international competitive landscape remains restricted by sanctions. The period has also seen emphasis on evaluating talent, reinforcing leadership within the squad, and aligning domestic football development with the national team’s long-term objectives.