Roman Shirokov, a former member of Russia’s national football team, has spoken about a move to football’s Asian governing region, while still opposing joining the Asian Leagues. He indicated that a possible showdown with China could still offer a meaningful challenge for him and his peers, even as other pathways remain uncertain.
In early 2022, FIFA and UEFA made the decision to suspend Russia and its clubs from all competitions overseen by their bodies. That action created a markedly altered playing field for Russian football, forcing a realignment of clubs, players, and national team plans on the international stage.
Throughout 2022, Russia arranged three friendly matches against Asian opponents, facing Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. These fixtures represented a temporary shift in international exposure and scheduling for the national side as the broader sanctions and organizational changes reshaped how Russian football operated on the world stage.
Valery Karpin’s squad delivered its last official result in November 2021 with a World Cup qualifying defeat to Croatia, a 0-1 scoreline that underscored the abrupt pause in regular competition under the evolving post-2021 international framework and raised ongoing questions about Russia’s future place in global tournaments.
In related commentary, former Amkal media club figure Alexei Gasilin offered insights into the role of foreign players within the Russian Premier League, reflecting on how the league’s talent pool and recruitment strategies were evolving during and after the transitional period.