Former Spartak Moscow coach Raul Riancio offered a candid assessment of the Russian national team’s standing in European football. He suggested that Russia does not sit among Europe’s elite teams. His comments came as bookmakers weighed Russia’s prospects, with Riancio noting that expectations for a strong Euro 2024 run would hinge on qualification from the group stage rather to any historical dominance on the continent.
Riancio explained that while Russia may not currently rank with Europe’s top sides, there is a pathway to qualification under Valery Karpin’s leadership. He pointed out, however, that achieving access to the knockout rounds would be challenging in practice. European opponents have been reluctant to schedule friendlies with the Russian squad, limiting opportunities to prove form and cohesion on the field. Riancio observed that the team’s future prospects would likely remain constrained unless international fixtures resume more broadly, underscoring the impact of outside decisions on performance potential.
In 2022, the International Football Federation (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) suspended Russia from all global and European competitions under their purview. This suspension prevented Russian clubs and the national team from participating in World Cup and continental events, a move that reshaped the team’s competitive timeline and development path for several seasons. The consequence was a missed opportunity to compete for major titles and to continually test the squad against Europe’s best.
As a result, Russia will not participate in the 2022 World Cup playoffs or the forthcoming European Championship, at least under current circumstances. The pause in competitive action has influenced coaching plans, player development, and tactical experimentation, all of which are crucial to rebuilding the national program’s standing once sanctions or bans are lifted or revised.
Looking ahead to March, plans for practice and friendlies are on the calendar. Valery Karpin’s ensemble is scheduled to face Serbia and Paraguay in two warm-up matches, both set to take place in Moscow. These fixtures are viewed as critical opportunities to assess team chemistry, test tactical setups, and identify players who can make a meaningful contribution at the European level when normal competition resumes. The outcome of these games will be closely watched by fans and analysts who are calculating Russia’s potential return to form and its ability to re-enter the European football conversation with credibility.
Earlier discussions about facing Russia included consideration from the Belarus National Olympic Committee, which weighed the favorable timing and potential benefits of engaging in a match with the Russian team. Such conversations reflect the broader geopolitical and sporting dynamics that shape decisions about when and how teams compete on the international stage. The evolving environment means that results on the field will increasingly be interpreted within a larger context of constraints, opportunities, and strategic planning for the near future. Attribution: Fate of international competition is influenced by governing bodies and national associations, with ongoing dialogue shaping schedules and representative readiness.