​International Media: Russian Football Union Planning Tournament for Teams That Missed World Cup Qualification

November 19 – According to a report by international media outlet 365Scores, the Russian Football Union (RFU) is planning to organize a tournament next year, coinciding with the 2026 World Cup, that would feature national teams that failed to qualify for the event in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.  

The report indicates that, aside from the rumored host Russia, other national teams potentially invited include China, Cameroon, Nigeria, Serbia, Greece, Chile, Peru, and Venezuela, among others.  

At the same time, the outlet notes that it remains unclear whether Russia genuinely intends to host such a tournament or is using it as leverage to push FIFA to lift its ban on the Russian national team's participation in international competitions. What is certain, however, is that the RFU's primary goal is to secure Russia's participation in the qualifiers for the 2030 World Cup.  

Source: X