Valery Karpin, the head coach of the Russian national team, assessed the upcoming opponent in depth, offering insights into how his squad is preparing for the clash with Cameroon. His remarks were reported by Sports Express and help illuminate the strategic mindset of Russia before the game.
The coach highlighted one clear distinction: the top players in the Cameroonian side compete in strong European leagues, which elevates their standard compared with many regional sides. He drew a comparison, noting that Cameroon’s level is comparable to that of Iran in terms of competitiveness. While acknowledging Cameroon as among the tougher opponents Russia has faced, he stressed that the preparation for this match followed the same rigorous routine applied to other opponents on the calendar, underscoring the professional approach his team employs in every encounter.
The international friendly between Russia and Cameroon is set to take place at the VTB Arena in Moscow, scheduled for October 12 with kickoff at 19:00 local time. Following that fixture, Karpin’s squad is due to meet Kenya on October 16. That match is planned to be held at the Titanic Mardan Stadium, a venue part of a luxury hotel complex in Antalya, Turkey, reflecting how the team’s calendar spans multiple venues and conditions as part of its broader training and preparation program.
It is important to note that a broader governing context surrounds Russia’s national team activities. In the spring of 2022, the International Football Federation (FIFA) together with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) made the decision to suspend participation by the Russian national team and all Russian clubs in competitions under their purview. This suspension affected scheduling, competition access, and the overall competitive environment for the national program in the ensuing period.
Earlier, Karpin had conveyed that the group’s leadership would not participate in the Cameroon confrontation, reflecting strategic decisions taken at the leadership level to manage the squad’s international commitments in light of the broader organizational framework and match objectives for the season.