Valery Karpin, the head coach of the Russian national team, addressed Artem Dzyuba’s exclusion from national team call-ups, noting that selection criteria could change if the sanctions are lifted. He indicated that no player over 30 would automatically be considered for the squad under the current restrictions, but that prospect could shift if conditions evolve. The remarks came amid ongoing discussions about Russia’s standing in international football and the potential for future participation depending on policy changes and eligibility rules.
Since March 2022, Russia has been barred from international competition under the auspices of FIFA and UEFA, a suspension that effectively paused the national team’s involvement in major tournaments, including the 2024 European Championship qualifiers. This backdrop frames the present dialogue around player selection, development, and long-term strategy for rebuilding the squad within the constraints that remain in place.
Looking ahead to friendlies, the Russian national team is scheduled to face the Iranian national team in an away match on March 23. A subsequent match follows on March 26, when the team is set to play at home in Saint Petersburg against Iraq. These fixtures are part of routine international activity designed to maintain competitive readiness and to evaluate a broader pool of players during the period of limited official competitive opportunities.
Earlier conversations with Karpin touched on whether Russia could consider a transition from UEFA to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Discussions like these reflect the broader strategic questions facing Russian football as it navigates ongoing sanctions and the evolving landscape of international organization affiliations. The coach stressed that such a transition would depend on policy decisions from governing bodies and the implications for national team participation on the global stage.