The Russian national team will play two matches with the participants of the 2026 World Cup in June 2026.

The Russian national football team intends to hold two away matches in June next year with the participants of the World Cup. This was announced on December 25 by Maxim Mitrofanov, General Secretary of the Russian Football Union (RFU).

"It is planned that the Russian national team will play two matches in March in our country, in June — not in Russia with the participating teams of the World Cup during their preparation for the final part of the tournament," TASS quoted him as saying.

Mitrofanov clarified that the exact opponents and venues of the matches have not yet been determined. At the same time, in March 2026, the national team will play two matches in Russia. He added that various options are also being considered with the teams.

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On December 22, the Russian national team took 33rd place in the rating of the International Football Federation (FIFA) for the year 2025. Russia scored 1,524.52 points. During the year, the team played 10 friendly matches — against Grenada (5:0), Zambia (5:0), Nigeria (1:1), Belarus (4:1), Jordan (0:0), Qatar (4:1), Iran (2:1), Bolivia (3:0), Peru (1:1) and Chile (0:2).

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