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Brazilian media outlets are reporting that Brazil and Russia are potentially planning a friendly match later this year, citing sources within the Brazilian Football Confederation.
Reports from local media on Monday suggest that Brazil has tentatively agreed to a friendly soccer match with Russia this autumn. Russia remains excluded from FIFA and UEFA events because of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
According to journalist Galvao Bueno of Band.com.br, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) sent a letter in August 2024 confirming acceptance of an invitation from the Russian Football Union (RFU) for a match in Moscow in 2025.
The CBF has reportedly told Russian officials that the Brazilian team is available during the FIFA international windows from October 6-14 and November 10-18.
“We believe that collaboration between the Brazilian Football Confederation and the Russian Football Union will be fundamental to strengthening ties and further enhancing the global football ecosystem,” the CBF reportedly stated.
“The national team board will be mobilized to work towards holding the aforementioned game,” it added.
This correspondence indicates Brazil’s willingness to schedule the game, although a formal agreement hasn’t been finalized. The report said that specific details, such as dates, locations, and logistics, are still being discussed.
The two federations are expected to continue discussions in the coming months. If it happens, the match would be a rare instance of the two national teams meeting outside of major competitions. The last match between them was in March 2018, prior to the World Cup in Russia, with Brazil winning 3-0 at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.
The Russian national team is currently on an undefeated streak since being suspended from international competitions in February 2022. Over the last three years, Russia has played several friendly matches, winning against teams like Cuba (8–0), Serbia (4–0), Belarus (4–0), Vietnam (3–0), Brunei (11–0), Syria (4–0), Grenada (5–0), and Zambia (5–0).
Despite the ban, FIFA continues to award ranking points for Russia’s friendly matches, which has helped them rise to 34th place in the world rankings.