FIFA's Crazy Idea: A US-Russia Friendly Match Is Considered
The idea may seem surprising, but FIFA is rumored to be considering organizing a friendly football match between Russia and the United States. This possibility was raised by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who stated that the proposal had gained some support in some American circles.
Relations between the two countries are strained, however, particularly over international politics and the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. It would be surprising to see how a simple football match could be organized in the face of political challenges.
Because let's not forget that Russia was barred from qualifying for the World Cup and European Championships after its troops invaded Ukraine on Vladimir Putin's orders in February 2022. Since then, the Russian national team has mainly played friendly matches against less prestigious opponents on the international stage, largely for political reasons. A match against the United States could mark a real turning point.
Sergei Lavrov said that discussions surrounding this match could be part of preparations for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. As a reminder, the last meeting between the Russian and American teams took place in November 2012 in Krasnodar, and ended in a 2-2 draw. To date, the two teams have met five times, with two victories for Russia and three draws.
It remains to be seen whether this project will actually come to fruition. A friendly match of this magnitude would be a unique opportunity, not only from a sporting perspective, but also as a symbolic gesture. Such encounters could serve as a bridge between nations, highlighting the universality and power of sport, which often transcends political issues.
L'Internaute
