After Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022, the nation has confronted backlash on a number of fronts. The implications haven’t been simply political, however have stretched to the nation’s sporting aspirations as effectively. After being banned from the 2024 Olympics, FIFA and UEFA launched a joint assertion, banning Russia from worldwide competitors.
This meant that Russia was not allowed to compete for a spot within the 2022 World Cup that occurred in Qatar. Under regular situations, Russia wouldn’t be allowed to compete within the UEFA qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup as effectively, however there may simply be a loophole that Russia can exploit if it desires a spot within the subsequent World Cup, taking place within the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
With three-quarters of Russia’s territory in Asia, there’s a probability that the nation will be part of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and play the AFC qualifiers for a berth within the 2026 World Cup. While there hasn’t been any official announcement relating to Russia’s plan, the nation has been steadily making inroads in Asia by collaborating in its tournaments and getting invitations as effectively.
How many slots do Asian groups have for the 2026 World Cup?
A complete of 8+1⁄3 slots (8 direct slots and one inter-confederation play-off slot) within the World Cup can be found for AFC groups.
The qualification course of includes 5 rounds; the primary two double because the qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, which is going down in Saudi Arabia.
How will the Asian qualifiers work?
The AFC qualifiers can have 5 rounds.
First spherical: 22 groups (ranked 26–47) will play home-and-away fixtures over two legs. The 11 winners will advance to the second spherical.
Second spherical: 36 groups (ranked 1–25 and 11 first-round winners) will probably be divided into 9 teams of 4 groups. The groups will play towards one another on a home-and-away foundation. The 9 group winners and group runners-up will advance to the third spherical and mechanically qualify for the AFC Asian Cup.
Third spherical: 18 groups, which advance from the second spherical, will probably be divided into three teams of six groups. The groups will play towards one another on a home-and-away foundation. The prime two groups of every group qualify instantly for the FIFA World Cup, and the third and fourth-placed groups will advance to the fourth spherical.
Fourth spherical: Six third and fourth-placed groups from the third spherical will probably be divided into two teams of three groups every. The groups will play towards one another as soon as at a impartial venue. The winners of every group will qualify for the World Cup, and the runners-up of every group will advance to the fifth spherical.
Fifth spherical: The group runners-up within the fourth spherical will compete in a play-off tie to find out the Asian illustration on the inter-confederation playoffs. The format of the playoff tie has not been introduced as of now.
What does Russia’s inclusion imply for different Asian groups?
It implies that if the transition goes by way of, Russia will probably be one of many nations that may battle for the 8+1⁄3 slots. Currently, solely 4 groups underneath the AFC have a better soccer rank than Russia (38) within the official FIFA rankings. These 4 groups are Japan (20), Iran (24), Korea Republic (25) and Australia (27). While rankings aren’t absolute, if Russia joins the fray, it can inevitably have an enormous benefit, and on paper, can have an higher hand in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup underneath the AFC berth.
Making inroads and already receiving assist
Saudi Arabia, the host of the 2027 Asian Cup, mentioned it had no objections to Russia becoming a member of the AFC. Saudi Arabia’s Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal mentioned, “If FIFA and the AFC allow it and there’s a benefit for Asia then I don’t think there’s a problem with that.”
While AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa refused to partake in speculations, he mentioned, “We have a good relationship with the Russian Federation and with the rest of the European federations. We are always in contact with the federations on all occasions. We want the best interests of the game as we seek to keep politics away from football.”
Russia was invited as a visitor nation for the 2023 SAFF U-17 Women’s Championship in Bangladesh, the place it emerged because the champion. It received all 4 of its matches, together with a 2-0 win towards India in its last sport. The Russian kids dominated the opposite groups, scoring 17 targets and conceding only one.
The Russians have additionally been invited to take part within the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Championship in June, which makes speculations of Russia’s AFC transfer even stronger.
The Tajikistan Football Federation (TFF) introduced final month that Russia has been invited to CAFA’s inaugural males’s event scheduled from June 9 to 21 together with its six member nations and one other nation, which is but to be confirmed.
CAFF is a part of the AFC and was shaped in 2014. It includes the nationwide federations of Afghanistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Last November, Russian Football Union (RFU) President, Aleksander Dyukov mentioned that the nation’s transfer to AFC is a chance amid a widespread boycott. While FIFA can have the ultimate say on this matter, the thought doesn’t appear that far-fetched in the intervening time.
