Russia returns to FIFA-sanctioned competition in Baku

The Russian U15 national football team has made its return to FIFA-sanctioned international competition following a four-year exclusion triggered by the invasion of Ukraine. The team participated in the FIFA World Championship and Festival for players under 15 years old held in Baku.

In their opening match, Russia defeated Sudan with a score of 12-0. During the event, players' families displayed a large Russian flag, and the team's goals were met with loud cheers from the stands.

Head coach Denis Pervushin expressed optimism regarding the team's performance and voiced hope that Russian national teams would be permitted to participate in higher age categories in the near future. When questioned about the absence of Ukraine from the tournament and the fairness of previous sanctions, Pervushin declined to engage with the political topics, stating his desire to focus solely on football.

Russia's upcoming matches in the tournament are scheduled against Turkey, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, and Djibouti. While FIFA extended invitations to all 211 member associations, the Ukrainian federation explicitly declined to participate due to the presence of the Russian team.