ARGENTINA are set to play Russia in an international friendly this November, according to reports.
The Russian national team has largely been shunned since the country’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Russia were kicked out of the 2022 World Cup, and have been banned by Fifa ever since.
Argentine football reporter Gaston Edul claimed last month that a meeting could be on the cards.
And further reports from Telegram in Russia suggest that a game is in the works for the November international break.
Such a deal would see the world champions travel to Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium for a match.
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A preliminary agreement has reportedly been agreed, with the Luzhniki having been reserved for dates between November 10 and 18.
Should the match go ahead, it is unlikely that big stars such as Lionel Messi will participate.
That’s because Western sponsors would likely be uncomfortable with their partners playing in Russia.
Russia’s ban has seen them not play in Fifa or Uefa competitions since 2021.
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Their last competitive match was a 1-0 defeat at Croatia on November 14, 2021.
They have since participated in 16 friendlies, primarily played in Moscow.
Russia’s opponents have included Qatar, Iraq, Cameroon and Serbia.
US president Donald Trump recently claimed that participation in the 2026 World Cup could be an incentive for Russia to end their invasion of Ukraine.
During a chat with Fifa president Gianni Infantino, Trump, 78, was at first not even aware that Russia were banned.
He asked: “I didn’t know that. Is that right?”
To which Infantino replied: “That is right.
“They are banned for the time being from playing but we hope that something happens and peace will happen so that Russia can be readmitted.”
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Trump then said: “That’s possible. Hey, that could be a good incentive, right? We want to get them to stop. We want them to stop.
“Five thousand young people a week are being killed – it’s not even believable.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
