“A good option from all points of view”: the Russian national football team was invited to the first CAFA championship

The Russian national football team this year will probably still play at the international tournament, despite the sanctions from FIFA and UEFA.

It is possible that Valery Karpin's wards will play in the first championship of the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA), which will be held from June 9 to 21.

Participation in the competition has already been confirmed by all members of the organization: Tajikistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.

In addition, CAFA invited two more national teams.

One of them was Russia.

The RFU confirmed the fact of negotiations with the association, but stressed that the final decision has not yet been made.

“At the moment, the possibility and conditions for the participation of the Russian national team in this tournament are being discussed,” the union’s communications service said in a statement.

And Valery Karpin, as it turned out, does not yet have any information about the CAFA championship.

"No idea.

It's the first time I hear it, so I don't know anything yet.

I don’t know, ”RIA Novosti head coach quotes.

Thinking about participation in the tournament and the eighth team.

According to Sport-Express, the association made an offer to Thailand.

If he refuses, then the team from China can take the last place.

It should be noted that the CAFA championship has existed since 2018, but previously it was held only at the level of women's and youth teams.

Therefore, for now, even the format of the tournament for the first men's teams is under discussion.

It is planned to divide the teams into two groups, the winners of the quartets will reach the final, and the second places will compete for bronze medals.

Matches will be held in Bishkek and Tashkent.

In this case, the results of the meetings will be taken into account in the FIFA rankings.

“This tournament will be held in the June windows.

CAFA holds the first tournament.

Of course, it is agreed with the Asian Football Confederation," the press service of the Football Federation of Tajikistan told TASS.

The organizers are primarily interested in the appearance of the Russian team at the tournament.

Since the performance of the national team will raise the status of the competition.

“This will certainly increase interest.

More fans will follow.

It's great that most of the participating teams are from the countries of the former Soviet Union, it's always been interesting.

It’s great when teams that played in the same championship in the recent past will play in the tournament, it brings people together, which is very important,” said Alisher Urunov, Vice President of the Football Federation of Tajikistan.

According to Russian experts, the RFU should agree to the proposal received.

As the honorary president of the organization Vyacheslav Koloskov noted, this is a tournament in which Karpin's wards will have goals, objectives and competitive practice.

“The invitation to the CAFA championship says that there is no longer any isolation of Russia, there is only a temporary exclusion from specific competitions.

From all points of view, this is a good option for the national team and the future of domestic football, ”Match TV quoted Koloskov as saying.

According to the former forward of Dynamo and Lokomotiv Dmitry Bulykin, participation in competitions in Asia is currently the best option for the Russian team, since athletes will have an additional incentive to perform well in the RPL.

“Going beyond friendly matches is a great motivation for young players to grow up in their clubs and then try their hand at the national team.

I think Karpin will invite a lot of young athletes who will have a great opportunity to make their debut at the international level.

Yes, and the old people want to dust more to renegotiate their contracts, to extend the agreements.

When you are a player of the national team, you have a completely different attitude, ”said the interlocutor of RT.

At the same time, according to Bulykin, there is nothing wrong with the fact that Valery Karpin's team will not have the strongest teams in the rivals.

“At the moment you don’t have to choose, so you need to meet with any teams and be ready for anything.

If you really have to play with Tajikistan or Turkmenistan, then you need to go out, show a beautiful game and please the fans.

One way or another, it will be interesting.

Everyone missed the national team, football with other countries.

And many have already forgotten who stands for it.

It will be a surprise for them to see completely new players in the Russian jersey,” added the former forward of the national team.

This tournament is also ideal in terms of relations with FIFA and UEFA.

The Russian team in this case will act as an invited team.

With the same success, CAFA could call any other European team.

However, the delay on the part of the RFU can also be understood.

At the moment, the UEFA working group continues to draw up a roadmap for the return of the country to international competitions.

And the leadership of the union probably wants to see it first.