Russia

The Russia national football team (Russian: Сборная России по футболу, romanized: Sbornaya Rossii po futbolu) represents Russia in men's international football. It is controlled by the Russian Football Union (Russian: Российский футбольный союз, Rossiyskiy Futbolnyy Soyuz), the governing body for football in Russia. Russia's home ground is the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow and their head coach is Valery Karpin.

As the Russian Empire before 1917, as the Russian SFSR in 1917–1924 and as the Soviet Union in 1924–1991, Russia first entered the FIFA World Cup in 1958. They have qualified for the tournament 11 times (seven of which as the Soviet Union), with their best result being their fourth-place finish in 1966. As the Soviet Union, Russia was a founding member of UEFA in 1954, winning the first edition of the European Championship in 1960 and were runners-up in 1964, 1972 and 1988. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia's best result was in 2008, when the team finished third.

On 28 February 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and in accordance with a "recommendation" by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), FIFA and UEFA suspended the participation of Russia in their competitions. The Russian Football Union unsuccessfully appealed the FIFA and UEFA bans to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which upheld the bans. Since then, they have played several friendlies against non-Western countries.

The Russia national soccer team, often referred to simply as "Russia," represents the country in international men's soccer competitions. Governed by the Russian Football Union (RFU), the team has a rich history and a passionate fan base.

Historically, Russia has been a competitive force in European and world soccer, with its roots tracing back to the Soviet Union's national team, which achieved significant success in the mid-20th century. The team’s colors are predominantly red, blue, and white, reflecting the national flag, and they play their home matches at various stadiums across the country, with the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow being one of the most iconic venues.

Russia has participated in numerous UEFA European Championships and FIFA World Cups, with its best performance in the World Cup coming in 1966 when they reached the semifinals. The team is known for its strong defensive tactics, physical style of play, and the ability to produce talented players who have made their mark both domestically and internationally.

In recent years, the team has undergone a transformation, focusing on developing young talent and adapting to modern playing styles. The coaching staff emphasizes teamwork, discipline, and resilience, aiming to restore Russia's status as a formidable competitor on the global stage. With a blend of experienced veterans and promising newcomers, the Russia national team continues to strive for success in international tournaments, aiming to inspire a new generation of soccer fans.