The renowned Russian football coach Rinat Bilyaletdinov, who currently serves at the Khimki headquarters near Moscow, spoke to the media about the participation of teams in the official Russian Cup and highlighted recent developments. The Russian Football Union has announced plans to invite media outfits to cover the tournament in the upcoming season, signaling a push to broaden coverage and engage a wider audience. This initiative comes amid discussions about the evolving role of media presence in domestic football and how it can contribute to the sport’s visibility and accessibility across Russia.
Bilyaletdinov noted that several media squads have already added a distinct flavor and heightened emotion to the competition, especially through the perspectives and coverage provided by journalists and broadcasters. He observed that the professional football community, while initially cautious, has grown receptive to the idea of integrating media teams into the proceedings. The coach stressed that as long as there is interest from media participants and fan engagement continues to grow, media involvement should be supported. He also warned that if media teams lose momentum, the league might reassess their involvement in the higher echelons of professional play. This stance underscores a balance between preserving competitive integrity and embracing innovative formats that can attract spectators and boost the sport’s profile.
Regarding the tournament format, Bilyaletdinov described it as both progressive and demanding. He explained that teams should not be eliminated outright after a loss; instead, the structure allows for a longer pursuit of the title, with amateur and media squads included in the early rounds. This approach aims to maintain competitive tension while offering opportunities for a broader range of participants to showcase talent and storytelling potential—from seasoned professionals to media-driven squads that bring unique narratives to the cup. The emphasis remains on inclusivity in the opening stages, followed by a phased progression that culminates in high-stakes matches for the title.
In recent seasons, Amkal Moscow and 2Drots took part in the 2022/23 Russian Cup, both achieving victories in the initial round. Amkal advanced further, reaching the third round before falling to Zvezda St. Petersburg with a narrow 1–2 result. These outings illustrated how non-traditional teams and media-aligned groups could compete meaningfully in the Cup, generating attention and sparking conversations around the evolving landscape of Russian football. The RFU continues to explore strategic dialogues with global football bodies to strengthen the domestic game and secure renewed opportunities for national teams to participate in international tournaments, a topic that carries implications for scheduling, training, and the overall competitiveness of Russian football on the world stage.