Russia (foto: Uradni Twitter profil kluba/zveze)
Due to ongoing FIFA and UEFA sanctions, Russia has had difficulty scheduling friendlies and will face Brunei, ranked 183rd by FIFA, in the October international break.
The Russian national football team has faced significant challenges in securing opponents for the October FIFA window due to FIFA and UEFA sanctions. After weeks of uncertainty and organizational hurdles, Valeri Karpin’s team has arranged a match against Brunei, ranked 183rd in the world.
Initially, Russia had planned to play against Pakistan, a slightly stronger opponent. However, due to Pakistan’s inability to guarantee a full-strength squad, the fixture was canceled. This left Russia scrambling to find a replacement, and there was even speculation that the national team might skip the October window entirely. Eventually, they managed to schedule the match with Brunei, allowing the team to fulfill its FIFA window commitments.
Additionally, the Russian Football Union has organized a friendly against Syria for November 19, also to be held in Russia. Last month, Russia played Vietnam away, and these lower-ranked opponents reflect the limited options available due to international isolation.
This October’s match against Brunei, albeit not against a strong competitor, will allow Karpin’s squad to gather and maintain some level of competitive play amid the sanctions.