Russia to face Iran in friendly on Sept 29
The Russian national football team will play a friendly match against Iran on September 29, according to the press service of the Russian Football Union (RFU).
Consensus
- The Russian national football team will play a friendly against Iran on September 29.
- The match will take place in Kazan.
- The game is part of the Russian team's autumn training camp, which begins on September 21.
- The venue is the Kазань Арена stadium.
- Information about the start time and ticket sales will be announced later.
- Russia and Iran have met four times previously.
- The last match between the two teams was on October 10, 2025, in Volgograd, which Russia won 2:1.
- Russia remains banned from official FIFA and UEFA competitions since February 2022.
- The Russian team is only allowed to play friendly matches.
Points of divergence
- Iran participated in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and did not lose any group stage matches, drawing 2:2 with New Zealand, 0:0 with Belgium, and 1:1 with Egypt. — fontanka
- Russia has not played in Kazan for nearly five years; the last match there was on October 8, 2021, against Slovakia in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. — fontanka
- Discussions about Russia's potential return to international football have intensified in 2026, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino stating in February that the ban 'has done nothing' and should be reconsidered. — fontanka
- UEFA opposes the return of Russian teams, and restrictions for the 2026/27 season remain in place. — fontanka
- The Russian Football Union (RFU) President Alexander Dyukov previously said St. Petersburg was promised the Champions League final after sanctions are lifted. — fontanka
- The RFU launched a program called 'RFU Quality' to certify sports equipment, starting with footballs, which will be categorized as 'RFU Start', 'RFU Standard', and 'RFU Pro'. — m24
- The fourth round of the Russian Football Championship starts on August 14. — m24
Coverage (3 sources)
- RFS named date of friendly match between Russia and Iran national teams — Коммерсантъ
- Russia team will play in Kazan with World Cup participant — Фонтанка
- Russian football team will play against Iran on September 29 — Москва 24