Everything is accelerating for Russian soccer. A few days after the official announcement of a friendly match of the men’s national team against Iran (photo above), played Thursday, March 23 in Tehran (1-1), the Russian Football Federation (RFU) has confirmed a second one. This time, it will take place at home. The RFU explained via its press service that Russia will receive Iraq on Sunday, March 26 in St. Petersburg for a friendly match, the second of the year for the men’s national team. It is to be held at the Gazprom Arena, one of the 12 stadiums of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The RFU’s invitation to the Iraqi soccer federation was sent in early March. Excluded from international competitions by FIFA and UEFA since the start of the military offensive in Ukraine, Russia has played three friendlies in 2022, against Kyrgyzstan in September and Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in November.
